New-York tribune., 1909-09-25
FIRST SIGHT OF RIVER
SOUGHT E.LSTERN ROUTE.
Chance BrOpght Hudson to Sail
EHder DHich IHStcad Of
EnSIiSh FIag.

Il hung in thc balance for u time whether to
the credit Of thc Dutch of the French should
descend the distinction Of patronizing the expo
diton commanded by Captain Henry Hudson
which resulted in the exploration Of the Hudson
River and the settlement and development Of
continent which until thcn had been compara-
lively an unknown land to the gcographers Of
the seventeenth century
Hudson had made two voyages. both in search
Of q short passage 10 the East Indies, either in
northWcstcrly or a northca sterly direction be-
fore he signed contracts with the Dutch His
previous voyages were under the English flag as
was 10 be his fourth and last The sturdy Eng
hshmans daring in nav igation recommended him
strongly 10 the Dutch who were hard on the
heels of the English and thu Spanish in enter
prise and daring in seeking 20 extend their trade
with the rich lands the other side of tho
globe. Hudson had attracted attention by his
essays at charting "A route To tie East that
would be shorter than tho long and dangerous
voyage around the Cape of Good Hope.
Records show that hc was on close terms with
eminent Dutch gcographcrs. including the Rev.
Peter Pantius, who was esteemed for his geo.
graphical researches, and Of Jodocus Ilondius a
map maker. who also was a personal friend -
Hudson. Endorsed upon the translation Of i
sailing treatise owned by Hudson is this.
Translated out of the Morse Language into
High Dutch in the yc're 1860. And after out ~
High Dutch into Low Dutch 10y William Barcnt-
ron, of Amsterdam, who was the chief Pilot
aforesaid The same Copie in High Dutch is in
the hands of Jodocus Hondias, which I have
scene Ana this was translated out Of Low
Dutch by Master William Stcre Marchent. in
tho year l6OS. for The use Of me Henrie Hudson.
William Rarrntson's booke is in the hands of
Master Peter Plantius. who lent the same TO
ne"
PANE PRECEDED HIN.
It followed naturally that Hudson, being thus
in touch with Dutch navigator and gcographers
and with the prestige of his seananship, should
fan under the attention Of the Dutch East India
Company He was invited to Amsterdam. The
Dutch East India Company was composed OF
six different branches. called chambers, each Of
which was managed by its own officers Each
chamber was represented in a central governing
body tho Council Of Seventeen
Before this council Hudson appeared. He mot
there representatives, Of the six chambors-Zee-
land, Delft, Rotterdam, Amsterdam Hoorn and
Enkhuizen. The Council was not united as tC
what Hudson should do. The Amsterdam cham
ber wanted him 10 hunt for q northeast pas
sage. There was objection to this. chiefly from
the iceland chamber. Unable to come to a de-
oision, the matter was dropped, Hudson was
paid his expenses and returned to London. He
was given to understand that tho company might
Sake up the matter again in the following year
Frances Minister To The Hague was shrewd
nan, Pierre Jeannin, and the negotiations OF
sie company and Hudson became known to him
fie conceived the project Of sending Hudson
9ut under the French flag. and urged this prop
osition 10 Henry " of France. Before this
plan was well forwarded the Dutch became
alarmed at the prospect of glory ana profit
hccruing to France through what Hudson
might do.
SENT OFT by AMSTERDAM
II was out of the question for the Dutch East
india Company promptly to act as an entity, for
several months would elapse before the next
meeting Of the Council of Seventeen Waiting
meant Frances success, they feared. The AM
sterdam chaber concluded to employ Hudson
on its own responsibility. Hudson was hur-
riedly summoned back to Amsterdam, and the
arrangement made. Formal contract was
entered into on January S, 1909. between "the
directors of the Dutch East India Company of
the Chamber Of Amsterdam, on one part and
Mr.. Henry Hudson, assisted by Mr. Jodocus
HOndus. on the other"
Hudson was TO command a small Yacht and
steer for a passage on the northern side of
Nova Zemba, and thence proceed easterIy until
1t became possible for him TO go southwark to
the latitude of go degrees He was TO explore
the lands he saw, as far as possible, and then
return and give an account OF what he had
done.
Yacht, crew and stores were to be supplied
by the company. For his services Hudson was
TO receive 500 gulders. or about $500 In the
event Of his failure to return in a year his wife
was 10 receive $50 in addition. The question Of