New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
,.,,ropv or rup CRY OF NETWORK.

40 cors-icuors place among the capitals OF the
world is here traced TO its humble origin III inc SET
element Of Dutch traders on Manhattan Island NO
,o,,ou,r aoo than two hundred and sxty-hve years,
ita rool,v and wooded site was inhabited by dusky
Eoyagcs clothed in skins, and living IN little Villages
of portable wigwams, few bark canoes drawn up
ou the shore and the scanty agriculture showing
some iueager patches Of tobacco and Indian corfu
be actual founder Of European civilization in this
remote and desolat. quarter Of the world was WI
liam Usselincx, an exiled merchant of Antwerp,
whose name. though holding an honorable place III
The history of the times has become little known 70
tbe world. Through his influence the West India
Conuany. corporation of private adventurous was
established. with the intent of running the Spanish
settlements in the New World, and taking revenge
on their conquerOrs by becoming masters OF ther
Transatlantic possessions. Ussehncx was man OF
marvellous force Of wilt. He was strenuous op-
poser Of the policy Of Bsrnoveld, who was an adyo-
cate of peace with Spain. aud on the death OF that
great statesman in 1919, immediately engaged III
measures for the formation Of tho West India Com
pany.
His project at first received little reimbursement
from the Government The Dutch East India Com
pany were strongly opposed 70 the whole scheme
For year scarcely any progress was made Al
loueth the tide turned in its favor, and the COM
pany was established aHdcr the immediate auspices
OF the States-General. Perhaps no private corpora
tion was ever intrustcd with such enormous powers
1t was organized almost into distinct and separate
government II might form contracts and alliances
with tbe princes and the natives within the limits
of its charter might build forts, appoint gov
errors soldiers and public officers, administer JUS
tice aud take any necessary measures for the pro-
motion of trade. UsseiincX insisted on the demo-
cratic principle of the Begans and accorded to the
shareholders a voice in all important proceedings,
The vital condition of American liberty was thus
early introduced into the policy of the Dutch
colonists.
The affairs of Northumberland as the Dutch pos
sessions in America were called were intrusted to
special chamber of this powerful company Under
its auspices, a small party Of Protestant WaloonS
were the first TO emgratc. 1t consisted only OF
thirty persons most of them skillfu workmen, and
accustomed 10 struggle with difficulties and hard
ships in their native land These were soon fol-
lowed by other adventures, who were tempted by
tie prospect of building town on Manhattan
Island which was represented a spot of great nat
ural beauty and favorably situated for commercial
enterprise The first governor, Peter Minuet, Ger
man by BIRTH arrived at the new settlement on the
4th Of May, 1926. Within two days from that time,
he had contracted with the Indians for the purchase
OF the Island offering beads, buttons and other gilt
terng trinkets ju exchange for their real estate.
The price paid for about $4,000 acres Of land WAS
equal to sixty guildeT tweEtylOnr dollars OF our
present currency. Governor Ninuet is described by
the author as q man of rare energy, and admirably
suited for his position. having enjoyed the adj
vantage of ample experience in the East Indies
and in South America. lie was Of middle age hair
slightly Aecled with gray, duh black eye and q
fll-s;zed robust frame He was full of the spirit of
adventure rude in manner, but with akindly heart
and highly successful in gaining the confidence Of
...,o,z.s ha saco-,d ungson in authority
sort of civil factOtum, combining the functions Of
sheriff encouragement, and eustom-house officer
The incumbent, Jan Lampo by name, was scarcely
superior to the wOrshipfGl officials OF the present
day, "knowing very little of law, and very INSULT
Gent in every particular" His compensation was IN
the civil fines and penalties, and such portion OF
criminal & Is and confiscated wages as the Governor
and Council might fit to bestOw upon him after
prosecution He bad no share in captured prizes
and was forbidden TO receive presents under any
circumstances" The first business TO be dispatched
was the construction of fort. This was erected on
a piece of ground hemmed in by lodges of rock
at short distance from the waters edge
and commanding a fine view Of the Bay
and Narrows. Ii was an insignificant struc-
ture being simply a blOck-house with red
cedar palisades About The time WAS built
warehouse Of Manhattan stone, having roof
thatched with reeds. Is ugly looking affair
enough, but soon came TO be haunted Dy the H.
Sians who locked about it TO sell their fUTs and
drink the "white mans fre-water'" the next
notable building erected was horse mill, which
answered the double purpose OF mill and church.
The loft was furnished with few rough seats, and
religious services were performed every Sunday
morning by two "comfOrters of the sick" who had
been sent over with the Governor.
The autlior devOtes several interesting pages to
account of the introduction of the patrOoR sys
tenn resembling the feudal tenure Of land, and pre-
senting peculiar social feature in the State of New
York almost TO the present day. charter was
adopted by the company ia 1923, providing that
any member who should found colony Of fifty
adults in any portion Of New-Netherland, except
Manhattan Island, which was reserved to the COM
pany and satisfy the Indians for a tract of land not
exceeding sixteen miles on one side OF nayigable
river. or eight miles on both sides, and extending
inland indefinitely, should receive the tisle of
Patroon or feudal chief of the territory. The
coonists under such patrOOnshp 10 be entirely
free from taxation for tine space of ten years. but
would be bound TO the PATRON in almost absolute
seryitude The chief was invested with full rights
Of property and granted freedom of trade, under
certain restrictions. and the privilege of fishing
and hunting within his own domains. The
company promised protection TO the cOonists
against all enemies, the completion Of citadel
on Manhattan Island, and a supply Of negro slaves.
in spite OF the democratic provisions Of the original
charter Of the company before alluded TO, the
special charter in strict accordance with the
aristocratie sentiment which with the increase
Of wealth in Holland. The real estate in that
country outside Che walls Of towns was almost in sole
possession of old families of the nobility, who were
unwilling TO part with any portion Of it. But in the
- - ILL.,