The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-04
The New York Historical Society,"

A meeting of the members of the New York
Historical Society, was held last night, at their
rooms in the University, Washington Square.
Notwithstanding the dlsagreeable state of the
weather, there was numerous attendance. The
Hon. Luther Bradish, late Lieutenant Governor
OF this State, presided.
The minutes of the last meeting having been
read and confirmed, the reports of the different Of
fcers OF the society were then In order The
Foreign Society read the correspondence from
MIR. Brodhead, the Secretary Of Legation at Lon
don, and Mr.. Campbell, the Sub-Llbraran at the
Hague, respecting the original manuscript recent.
w discovered in the archives at the Hague, which
mves 'he earliest description of New Netherland,
New York. written In 1926, by Isaac De Rasie-
r.s wbo w.s q. ,eretary here at that period under
The administration 1T Director General MlnuIt
The Domestic SECRETARY gave statement of
the financial concerns OF the society, from which
it appeared that the receipts Tor the last three
pended The debt Of the Soce:.,, had been re;
duced $500; but a considerable amount was s SUI
due. He then referred to the presentations and
donations which had been made to the society,
among which were one hundred specimens Of
the battle fields Of Paio Alto, Ressca de la Palma
and Monterey. Also large collection Of Indian war
dresses sainri bows and arrows, scalpng an hunt
was given to this gentleman for this valuable presenta
ton.
One of the Secretaries here referred to the proprety
Of having survey of the original remains of antiquity
in the western part Of this State and OF accepting the
proposal made to the Society by the Smithsonian In
situte, who were willing to undertake the survey, and
to give 500 for that purpose if similar amount were
given by this Society. Mr. Squire engaged for that
sum make the survey the one hundred enclosures
which have been discovered and to complete the work
this fail The subject was referred to the Executive
Committee.
Nm thar <roo
Dutch manuscript already referred to- after previously
reading few notes and comments upon it from Mr.
Brodhead The writer Of this interesting historical
document, Qsaack De Rasierea0 had been the secre-
tary Of the colony established here by the Dutch, and
this account written to samuel Bloomer, who was
e. h time ocsSD one Of ths :, at the
ter says to his original notes having been taken away
from him. It appears that tie colony was great;
some obnoxious proceedings imputed to him. Inper.
et this necessarily made the SKETCH the first in
stance the ofs of four pages Of the manuscript has
may yet be found at the Hague, together with some
additional narratives Of the early Dutch settlements.
exertons to find them out if they be in existence and
TO transmit them without delay to the society The
Introductory part Of Rasieres' account is taken up
prosches to the harbor of New York. from Sandy
Hook to the Battery. He describes Staten Island as
Is by great many ssvsses and Manhattan to
have population from two hundred to three hun.
dred women and men included. Manhattan Island
he rtckons Only tvo miles in length but this must be
mistake. After full description Of the quality Of
the land and the nature Of the country he
give account of the nners and customs and mode
Of life of the avsges They are he tall and we'll
proportioned of orange color, and the women very
They Live In state q SsT and are
themselves by hunting and fishing. \ drag. net
was used in the latter operation The principal fish
created by the quaint epicurean style in which he al
luded to the salmon head being delicious picking for
on the system Returning from their excursions they
gave them to their women, who he says, looked for
them very anxously. After brief reference to their
games he alluded to their morality and gives no very
aattering character Of the feminine portion Of the
ahc-.-insl ipbebitants of Manhattan Island. Some
very Interesting detail, are given Of their their, mar.
inflicted fer copjugal infdelty II the woman was
the delinquent, the husband cut of her hair took
everything from her shs pvrrvr!Sv@s, and thrsshea
her soundly If, on the other hand, the husband
was unfaithful, (wsich frequently happenedl u"
better half took of his right shoe and left stocknq
away The iapptt from hi. ions, gave him sok where
10 bones could BE we'll broken and sep. him about
his business. He also mentions that there were no
marriages with the third degree of consanguinity;
horrenee After varied and interesting enumeration
Of the modes of cutiyating their grain their baking
Sa tine ' Of ss yens
men, Sc. &C. he concludes with geological
narrative Of great value, in which he mentions the
animals which to be found here at that period
regret that cannot devote larger space to this
valuable and interesting document, which sheds such
ray Of light over this hitherto obscure part of our
history We understand, however, that the society
intend to publish it shortly, for general circulation
ard need scarcely say that It will be read with
! island Of Man hatas and Fort Amsterdam.
on the motion of Mr.. pEwIr1, she thanks Of the
society were voted TO Mr. Brodbead the Secretary 81
legation at London, and to Mr.. Carlton, the Deputy
| Librarian at the Hague
some other routine business having been disposed
| Of the meeting adjourned.