The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-28
Professor A. Davis on the History OF New
Amsterdam, or New York as II Was In the
DAYS of the Dutch Governors.

On Tuesday evening" Professor A. Davis delivered
lecture on the Ancient History Of New York." at
the Hope Chapel, Broadway. He began by saying it
was pleasant to enlightened minds to wander through
the regions OF the past and contemplate upon those
objects which bring up "reminiscences of the past.
What memories Of the venerable pear tree that now
stands in the Third avenue, which was planted more
than two hundred years ago, by Governor Stuyve
SAINT This pear (producing the fruit) was got from
that tree some two years ago. That tree reminded
them of the good doings OF Peter Stuyvesant. In
all his research he had recourse to Imagination
but only to the truth. To the various institutions
of this city (Which should be chershed) should they
look for some membranes OF the fame and learn
ing of their ancestors. Holland, at the time whea
she settled this country, was one Of the most power
full nations In the world. She had twenty thousand
vessels and one hundred thousand seamen. How
little did the Dutch dream when they coonized this
island, that the nineteenth century would see this
island peopled by nearly a million Of souls. When
Hendrck Hudson sailed up this bay, he thought he
had discovered the great northwest passage, on
which expedition be was sent by the East India
Company. When he landed on Manhattan Island
he found that the Indians peculiar tribe the
females were greatly addicted to star-gazing, and
planted their crops by the motions Of the moon.
After some days stay at this island, he sailed
up the North river and was twelve days reaching
Albany. Here he met different tribes of the Indians
1t was at that place he gave the Indians strong
drink which ruined many of those benighted
! saVages. Az tnls perlOC, tDe rive NallOns winch
was confederation OF various tribes Of Indians met
Hendrick Hudson and traded with him. They were
always friendly TO the Dutch afterwards 1t was a
great pity that New York has not been called after
that great man. who the first discoyerer of this
island In 1914, colony OF Dutch was sent out to
this country, and landed at Manhattan Island At
that period the island was covered with fine ship
building materials, and Governors Island was called
"Nutten Island" from the number OF nuts gathered
there. The reason why the Dutch called this Man
haitian Island because tribe OF Indians OF that
owned the island at that time After the Dutch
had settled here some time, the Pilgrims, or New
Englandes, asked leave of hem to settle in New
Netherlands; but their request was very properly re-
fused by them. The Dutch had always treated the
Indians in honorable manner. They bought all
Their land from the Indians and did not get through
blood or signs, as other nations did 1t was very
well known that the Dutch bought this island for
about tventyfour dollars; therefore real estate must
have been very low in those days When the first
Governor ruled the colony, the northern boundary
was Wall street at which place there was fort
bsyilt. The Dutch always brought spiritual adviser
With them, wherever they colonized. The Huguenots
esfjed At New Rochelle, In the State Of Connecticut
d the names OF those who settled appear TO this day
They we're respected by the Dutch settlers On account
NJ tie respect and veneraton they entertained TOR
= "a They used 10 walk all the way fron that colo
~ = attend the religious services Of tne Dutch
Ts-rh ~ nj I.iznd. The Dutch were always har-
+ sci - 10 Eaglsh; they Invaded their colony
nz va ~ Ps.4fd-, yhO were enemies o. tne
~. T1s Afw fn ancefs found the region o.
- rsxarrslena f.gfF feQre Fertile than the barren
sss&4se.L LIE Datco bliii barracA