The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1890-08-02
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This paper Is entered rs sccond-class matter
at tho Postoftce at WAshburn. North Dakota.
First Swedish settlement In America.
The following is an address delivered by
Hon. W. W. Thomas, it,, of Maine, late u.
&. minister to Sweden and Norway, on the
occasion of tho celebration at Minneapolis
of the 25Oth anniversary of the first swed-
ishr settlement in America. The celebra-
tration was held Sept. 18th, 1888, and was
attended by representatives from all parts
of the Union. Mr.. Thomas was well versed
in Swedish history, which adds interest to
his remarks:
1.-TWO hundred and fifty years there came
sailing into Delaware bay q Swedish ship
of-war, the Kalmar NICKEL, accompanied
by a smaller vessel, the Fogel Grip. These
two ships had ON bonrd the first Swedish
colony of America. 1t was early in the
spring of the year 1888. For more than
six months these colonists from Old Swe-
den had been tossed upon the ocean, and
10 81 delighted we're they with this New
World that they called the cape OF which
they landed, Paradise Point. The Swedes
acquired by fair purchase from the Indians
an ample domain on the west bank of Del
aware bay and river, stretching from Cape
Henlopen to the falls near Trenton, en-
brscing nearly the whole of the present
state of Delaware, as well as a goodly por-
tion of Pennsylvania, and extending west
ward without bound or limit. The COLON
lists Immediately built q fortress, which
they loyalty named Fort Christina, after
their youthful queen; and they called their
young state New Sweden, a name at once
commemorative of the past and suspicious
of the future. The Swedes found the eli
mate pleasant and the soil fertile. They
built new settlements along the Delaware,
II they received important accessions
from the mother country. The earth re-
turned to them its increase in bountiful
measure; their Aocks and herds multiplied;
they lived in peace and friendship with the
red men, and in every way made a pros
porous beginning in colonial life. But a
cloud hung over the infant state. The
Dutch at New Netherlands saw with a jeal-
Gus eye this young and thriving rival es-
tablished On their boders, and by many
methods sought to intimidate and drive
away the Swedes. At last, in 1866, the
Dutch suddenly appeared in Delaware bay
with a force of six or seven hundred men
and seven ships. Their coming took the
Swedes by surprise. The troops of the
enemy outnumbered their " four o one.
The Dutch first took Fort Trinity and then
Fort Christina, and with these fortresses
all New Sven fell under the sway of Hol-
land. Yet this conquest did the Dutch but
little good. Only nine years later the En-
glish captured New Netherlands, and with
it New Sweden; and the central portion of
this continent passed forever under the
dominion of the English speaking race.
Now Sweden as a distinct political Or
ganixation, under the Swedish flag, exist.
ed but for seventeen years. Yet, brief as
was its life, this little colony occupies a
memorable place in American history, and
has left a lasting impress upon this CONT
nent. Many of the Swedish colonists con-
tinued to live on the banks Of the Della
ware, end their descendants have ever been.
md are to-day, among the most influential
and honored citizens of the three states of
Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
The man who a. a member of the CONT
mental congress gave tbs casting vote OF
Pennsylvania in favor of the Declaration
of Independence was q 6wede of the old
Delaware stock, John Morton. And when
civil wal burst upon the land, it was a
descendent OF New Sweden, the gallant
Gen. Robert Anderson, who with but a
handful Of men calmly and bravely met
the first shock of the rebellion ut Fort
Sumter. Surely love of freedom and pa
triotism, and %state-craft and valor came
over to America, not only in the May6ower,
but also in that Swedish ship the Kalmar
Nyckel.
And New Sweden viii ever be illustrious
from the principles of true humanity which
distinguished its founding. The idea of
New Sweden originated in the mind of
Gustavus Adolphus, although 1t was not
until after his death that the plan was car
risd ont by his great chancellor, Oxenstjer-
m. Il was abe intention of the Swedish
king that this colony should be an asylum
for the oppressed of all nations; q free
state, whore all should have equal rights,
and enjoy TO the fullest extent the fruits
Of their own labor. Slavery should never
exist within its borders, for, said Gustavus,
Slaves eost q great deal, labor with re-
lunetancs, and soon perish with hard us
ap4.n Wise words these! Had America