Narrative of New Netherland | Page 8

easy language, which is soon learned, but I am of a contrary opinion.
For those who can understand their words to some extent and repeat

them, fail greatly in the pronunciation, and speak a broken language,
like the language of Ashdod.<1> For these people have difficult
aspirates and many guttural letters, which are formed more in the throat
than by the mouth, teeth and lips, to which our people not being
accustomed, make a bold stroke at the thing and imagine that they have
accomplished something wonderful. It is true one can easily learn as
much as is sufficient for the purposes of trading, but this is done almost
as much by signs with the thumb and fingers as by speaking; and this
cannot be done in religious matters. It also seems to us that they rather
design to conceal their language from us than to properly communicate
it, except in things which happen in daily trade; saying that it is
sufficient for us to understand them in that; and then they speak only
half sentences, shortened words, and frequently call out a dozen things
and even more; and all things which have only a rude resemblance to
each other, they frequently call by the same name. In truth it is a
made-up, childish language; so that even those who can best of all
speak with the savages, and get along well in trade, are nevertheless
wholly in the dark and bewildered when they hear the savages talking
among themselves.
<1> An allusion to Nehemiah xiii. 24.
It would be well then to leave the parents as they are, and begin with
the children who are still young. So be it. But they ought in youth to be
separated from their parents; yea, from their whole nation. For, without
this, they would forthwith be as much accustomed as their parents to
the heathenish tricks and deviltries, which are kneaded naturally in their
hearts by themselves through a just judgment of God; so that having
once, by habit, obtained deep root, they would with great difficulty be
emancipated therefrom. But this separation is hard to effect. For the
parents have a strong affection for their children, and are very loth to
part with them; and when they are separated from them, as we have
already had proof, the parents are never contented, but take them away
stealthily, or induce them to run away. Nevertheless, although it would
be attended with some expense, we ought, by means of presents and
promises, to obtain the children, with the gratitude and consent of the
parents, in order to place them under the instruction of some
experienced and godly schoolmaster, where they may be instructed not
only to speak, read, and write in our language, but also especially in the

fundamentals of our Christian religion; and where, besides, they will
see nothing but good examples of virtuous living; but they must
sometimes speak their native tongue among themselves in order not to
forget it, as being evidently a principal means of spreading the
knowledge of religion through the whole nation. In the meantime we
should not forget to beseech the Lord, with ardent and continual
prayers, for His blessing; who can make things which are unseen
suddenly and opportunely to appear; who gives life to the dead; calls
that which is not as though it were; and being rich in mercy has pity on
whom He will; as He has compassionated us to be His people; and has
washed us clean, sanctified us and justified us, when we were covered
with all manner of corruption, calling us to the blessed knowledge of
His Son, and out of the power of darkness to His marvellous light. And
this I regard so much the more necessary, as the wrath and curse of God,
resting upon this miserable people, is found to be the heavier.
Perchance God may at last have mercy upon them, that the fulness of
the heathen may be gradually brought in and the salvation of our God
may be here also seen among these wild savage men. I hope to keep a
watchful eye over these people, and to learn as much as possible of
their language, and to seek better opportunities for their instruction than
hitherto it has been possible to find.
As to what concerns myself and my household affairs: I find myself by
the loss of my good and helpful partner very much hindered and
distressed--for my two little daughters are yet small; maid servants are
not here to be had, at least none whom they can advise me to take; and
the Angola slave women<1> are thievish, lazy, and useless trash. The
young man whom I took with me, I discharged after Whitsuntide, for
the reason that I could not employ him