New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-15

hewu plank, covered with feeds, ana Hahy "cle
built entirely of bark. But few trees were as YET
cnt away. and only some little patches Of ground
Lad been brought under cultivation. The fur trade
absorbed the whole energy of the community.
In 1888, Governor Minuet, having lost fayeT with
the comnany, on account of his too strong leaning
toward the interests of tie PATRONS, succeeded
by the renowned Wouter Van Twiller who arrived
al Manhattan early in the Spring Of that year. The
portrait of that worthy by Washington Irving is on
the whole sustained by the writer Of tbs work.
Van Twlller had been a clerk of the company at
Amsterdam for several years, was shrewd trader,
ard had already made two voyages to New-Nether-
land in the service of Van Rensselaer,. But he had
no practical knowledge of government, and was
poorly qualified to discharge the important func-
tions with which he had been intrusted. " lie was
short stout man, with close-cropped sandy haiT,
small pale-blue eyes set deep IN full round
face ard an uncertain mouth. lie was good
natured and kind-hearted, but iTresolute, easily
swayed by stronger wills, narrow minded. slow OF
Thought. word. and decd, and grievously deficient
in his understanding of men and their motives"
Van TELLER was accompanied to Manhattan by
Dominic Bogardus the first clergyman of New
Netherland man Of excellent repute for pety, and
with abundant talent of certain order. p" He was
large graceful sinewy, strong, with fine, broad,
opeu frank face high cheek bones dark piercing
eye and mouth expressive of the very electricity Oh
good-humOr which partly hidden, however, 10y
beard cut in the peculiar fashion prescribed Iof
eccosastics during the reign of Henry ~. OF
France. He was not without prominent faults de
had hot and hasty temper, was brusque in his man.
ner and addicted TO high living; but he was greatly
superior in both mind and character 10 Van Twier'
and his sterling qualities stood forth in such bold re-
lief, that now, at the very mention of his name,
figure seems to leap forth from the mist OF centuries
instinct with hearty vigorous life Fearless in the
performance of his own duties, be never allowed
any failure on the part of others to pass by unre-
proved, In several instances the governors in
authority were severely castigated from the sacred
deskn The church erected after bis arrival was
a Main " ooden edifice resembling New-England
barn of the present day Ii stood on high point OF
land fronting the East River, near what Is now Pearl
street between Whitehall and Broad, and was
conspicuous object to vessels coming through the
bay Near to this humble building. which was the
first church ediice on Manhattan Island, parsoil-
ACE was erected. 1t was small Dutch cottage,
with the gable-end toward the street. I front
door was ornalnented with wonderful brass
knocker brought from Holland The dominic had
been accustomed at home not only TO the comforts
but the luxuries of life He preserved his taste Tor
beauty and elegance even in the new wild country
and planted a garden. In the fresh sunny days
oinks and tulips gittered along the graveled path
ways, in company with the young vegetables.
Iuxuriant vines eambered TO the housetOp, and
Glacs and roses iessamines and syTingas Wed with
each other in gorgeous display The quiet paTS0n-
age for many years The pride of Manhattan, and
one of the chief objects Of attraction for strangers
The sebooImaster who for several years piled the
rod and the ferule among the urchins of Manhattan,
without rival and with indifferent success, appears
10 have been Of those unsayory parasites that are
mt to infest the beginnings OF every new corr
munity His name Adam Roelandsen. raining
TO make living in his vocation. he finally took IN
washing, and proved good laundry-man though
bad character The last we hear OF tins primitive
Dutch pedagogue is that he was tried for grave
o;Terse aud sentenced TO be publicly logged, and
banished from the country.
The administration of Peter Stuyyesant, when
commenced in 1917, was period Of prosperous de-
velopment for the infant colony OF Manhattan
which had now received the name Of New Amster-
dam. He was the son Of q clergyman in Friesland.
He had early eyinced taste for military life and
for some years had been in the service OF the west
India Company. His personal appearance was I'M
pressiye A little above the middle hight, with a
fine physiaue he bore himself with the air of a
prince His intellectual features evinced great force
and decision of character. The close black cap
which he often wore gave deeper shade TO hrs
dark complexion. His voice was harsh ana uuh-
tractve but in spite Of certain apparent eoldncss
no one could escape the magnetism OF ms presence.
He was man of strong passions and preiudices, OF
severe morality and at times, of forbddng aspect;
brt his heart was large, and his affections warm,
though his creed was rigid His dress was always
after the most approved European method. wide
ol-afxs
sIasbed sleeves displaying full white pued shirt
sleeve His ample hose were also slashed, fastened
at the knee by handsome scarf, and his shoes were
ornamented with large rosettes. In his military
career he had lost a. leg, which was replaced by
wooden one with silver bands. giving rise to the
tradition that ne wore a silver leg. stuyvesant
was often abrupt manner, but he had kindly
heart He came to Manhattan in the employ OF a
mercantile corporation, but he soon became enlisted
in the welfare of bis adopted country. To his latest
day he was thoroughly American in feeling and the
fruits of his labors among the most valuable
legacies of the seventeenth century,
The author presents variety of interesting de-
tails illustrative Of the social condition and business
pursuits Of the people Of New Amsterdam during
Stuyyesant's administration. Upon his accession to
Office everything was ia state OF confusion ana
discomfort. The Indian war had made sad inroads
ON the property Of the colony. Only about fifty
farms remained under cultivation. Some OF the col
onists had been killed, and others bad returned to
Holland There were not more than three hundred
men capable Of bearing arms. The church in the
fort was unfinished and the tilnbers were rotting.
The taxes had not been collected and the govern
ment was in debt. Stuyvesant at once entered on
the work Of reform His first step was TO organize
his council and establish a court Of justice. DEGREES
were promptly issued enjoining the Observance of
the Sabbath providing for the collection Of tho