Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-03-03
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INDIAN ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST ARRIVAL OF
THE DUTCH AT New YoRK.

INDIAN ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST ARRIVAL OF
THE DUTCH AT New Y DIRK.
The Rev. Mr.. Heckewelder, wht
lately died in Pennsylvania, after having
been long time Moravian mission
airy among the Indians, gives the follow
ing as the Indian account of the landing
OF the Dutch at New-York. The story
he s,ys, was taken down many wear:
since, from the mouth of an intelligent
Delaware Indian, and may be consider.
ed as a correct account ofthe tradition
existing among them OF this momentum.
event.
A great many years ago, when men
with white skin had never yet been
seen in this land, some Indians were
ont ahshing at IA place where the sea
wldens, espied at a great distance some.
thing remarkably large floating on the
water, and such as they had never seen
oetore.-These Indians Immediately re.
turning to the shore, apprised their
counlrymen what they had observed,
and pressed them to go out with them
ana discover what ii might be. They
hurried out together, and saw with as.
constituent the phenomenon which now
appeared 10 their sight, but could not
agree upon what it was some believed
1t to be an uncommonly large fish or
animal, while others were of opinion il
must be very big house floating on the
sea. At length the spectators conclud-
ed that this wonderful object was NOV
In towards the land, and that it must be
an animal or something else that had
lille In 1t; 1t would therefore be proper
TO INFORM all the Indians on the island
OF what they had seen, and put them on
their guard. Accordingly they sent of
number OF runners and watermen to
carry the news to their scattered chief.
that they might send off in every direc-
tion Tor the warriors that they should
come on Immediately. These arriving
IN numbers, and ,,.having themselves
Viewed the strange appearance, and
observing that ii was actually moving
towards the entrance of the river or
bay :; concluded it to be a remarkably
large house in which the Mannitto (the
Creator Supreme Being) himself wa:
present, and that probably was coming
to visit them. BY this time the chief
were assembled at York-Island. anc
deliberating in what manner they should
receive their Mahnitto on his arrival
Every measure was taken to be vel
PROVIDE with plenty of meat for a sac.
rlhce. The women were desired &c
prepare the best victuals All the idol.
of'!Inages were examined and nut in
order, and grand dance was SUPPOSED
NOT onl5to be an agreeable entertain
ment tT the Great Being, but it wa,
believed that ii might, with the addition
ot"a sacrifice, contribute to apnease
him 1.-The was angry with them. The
coDuFeis were also set to work, to de
termlne what this phenomenon portend
ed' andWhat the possible result Of j
might'be. To these and to the chief
and wise men otthe nation, men, wo
men and children, were looking I'D To-
advice and protection. Distracted he
tween hope and fear, they were at los
what to do; dance however, com
menced in great confusion. While i,
THIS sisua,Ion, fresh runners arrive. do
ciarlng 1t TO be large house of variou
colors, crouded with living creatures
II appears now to be certain that if i
the great Mannitto, bringing them som,
KIND OF game, such as he had not give
them before but other runners soon ar
irving, declare that it is positively
mouse full of human beings, of quite
different color from that of the Indians
and dressed differently from them tina
IN particular one of them was dresse
entirely in read, who must be the Man
nltto himself They are hailed fror
Ethe vessel in language they do no
understand, yet they shout or veil i
return by way of answer, according I
the custom of their country; manv ar
tor running off to the woods, but ar
pressed by others to stay, in order nc
to give offence. to their visitor. VIII
might hnd them out and destroy then
| The house, some say large canoe
at last stops, anda canoe of a smalIe
size comes on shore, with the red mar
and some others in it,; some STAY wit
his canoe to guard it. The chiefs an
wise men. assembled in council, forr
themselves into large circle, toward
which The man dressed in red approach
es Elth two others. He salutes ther
with friendly countenance, and the
return the salute after their manner
They are lost in admiration; the dres,
the manners, the whole appearance q
Inc unknown strangers is to them sub
lect of wonder; but they are particu
hriy struck with him who wore tn
Ired coat, all glittering with gold lace
! 10 iCh he,