The Hudson | Page 9

the Dutch Settlement on the Hudson and the
English Settlers in Massachusetts. To quote from an old English history,
"it was the original purpose of the Pilgrims to locate near Nova Scotia,
but, upon better consideration, they decided to seat themselves more to
the southward on the bank of Hudson's River which falls into the sea at
New York."

To this end "they contracted with some merchants who were willing to
be adventurers with them in their intended settlement and were
proprietors of the country, but the contract bore too heavy upon them,
and made them the more easy in their disappointment. Their agents in
England hired the Mayflower, and, after a stormy voyage, 'fell in with
Cape Cod on the 9th of November. Here they refreshed themselves
about half a day and then tacked about to the southward for Hudson's
River.'
"Encountering a storm they became entangled in dangerous shoals and
breakers and were driven back again to the Cape." Thus Plymouth
became the first English settlement of New England. Another historian
says that it was their purpose "to settle on the Connecticut Coast near
Fairfield County, lying between the Connecticut and Hudson's River."
* * *
Before his sight Flowed the fair river free and bright, The rising mist
and Isles of Bay, Before him in their glory lay.
Robert C. Sands.
* * *
From the very first the Dutch occupation was considered by the English
as illegal. It was undoubtedly part of the country the coasts of which
were first viewed by Sebastian Cabot, who sailed with five English
ships from Bristol in May, 1498, and as such was afterwards included
in the original province of Virginia. It was also within the limits of the
country granted by King James to the Western Company, but, before it
could be settled, the Dutch occupancy took place, and, in the interest of
peace, a license was granted by King James.
The Dutch thus made their settlement before the Puritans were planted
in New England, and from their first coming, "being seated in Islands
and at the mouth of a good river their plantations were in a thriving
condition, and they begun, in Holland, to promise themselves vast
things from their new colony."

Sir Samuel Argal in 1617 or 1618, on his way from Virginia to New
Scotland, insulted the Dutch and destroyed their plantations. "To guard
against further molestations they secured a License from King James to
build Cottages and to plant for traffic as well as subsistence, pretending
it was only for the conveniency of their ships touching there for fresh
water and fresh provisions in their voyage to Brazil; but they little by
little extended their limits every way, built Towns, fortified them and
became a flourishing colony."
"In an island called Manhattan, at the mouth of Hudson's River, they
built a City which they called New Amsterdam, and the river was
called by them the Great River. The bay to the east of it had the name
of Nassau given to it. About one hundred and fifty miles up the River
they built a Fort which they called Orange Fort and from thence drove a
profitable trade with the Indians who came overland as far as from
Quebec to deal with them."
The Dutch Colonies were therefore in a very thriving condition when
they were attacked by the English. The justice of this war has been
freely criticised even by English writers, "because troops were sent to
attack New Amsterdam before the Colony had any notice of the war."
* * *
On his view Ocean, and earth, and heaven burst before him, Clouds
slumbering at his feet and the clear blue Of summer's sky in beauty
bending o'er him.
Fitz-Greene Halleck.
* * *
The "Encyclopædia Britannica" thus briefly puts the history of those
far-off days when New York was a town of about 1500 inhabitants:
"The English Government was hostile to any other occupation of the
New World than its own. In 1621 James I. claimed sovereignty over
New Netherland by right of 'occupancy.' In 1632 Charles I. reasserted
the English title of 'first discovery, occupation and possession.' In 1654

Cromwell ordered an expedition for its conquest and the New England
Colonies had engaged their support. The treaty with Holland arrested
their operations and recognized the title of the Dutch. In 1664 Charles
the Second resolved upon a conquest of New Netherland. The
immediate excuse was the loss to the revenue of the English Colonies
by the smuggling practices of their Dutch neighbors. A patent was
granted to the Duke of York giving to him all the lands and rivers from
the west side of the Connecticut River to the east side of Delaware
Bay."
"On the 29th of August an English Squadron under the direction