After their arrival at Fort Christina, most of the Finnish settlers fan out away from the protection of the fort to settle in the surrounding countryside. Although some settlers do later return to Europe, the majority of the Finnish settlers remain in America. After the arrival of this first group of Finns, word spreads back to Sweden and Finland and soon large numbers of Finns and their families begin to request permission for travel to New Sweden colony. By the 4th voyage nearly 350 Finns and their families wait in Gothenburg for passage to America. More than 100 individuals are turned away for lack of room on the ships.
Colonists face a difficult life in the New Sweden colony.
Conditions are demanding and dangerous. Because most of the Finns live outside of the safety of the fort they have a great deal of contact with the Indians. There are isolated instances of Indian attacks against settlers but the relationship between the colonists and the Indians is a good one. This is due partly to Queen Christina's instructions that the Indians not be antagonized and that they be fairly treated in the hope of converting them to Christianity. Indian land rights are respected and they are always compensated for additional lands.