1653. resolved, that all English planters at Delaware, The people of New Haven apply to Capt. 1654. June 17. Indian chiefs "at Prince Hall, on Tinnicum," "They complained that the Swedes had brought in with them much evil, because so many of them are since dead and expired; but one of the chiefs named Naoman, after having received presents, "rebuked the rest, and said they had spoken evil of the Swedes and done them harm, and that they should do so no more, for they were a good people." A meeting of "ten of the sachemans" of the 1655. May. Penn sent Markham to take possession, and this year three ships sailed from England with settlers, two of which arrived this year and the other the year following. 1682,-June. Wm. Penn himself arrives. The following curious document was found among the numerous MSS. left by the editor's father, the late Ebenezer Hazard, being a part of his collection towards materials for a third volume of “Historical Collections," of which he published two volumes in 1792 and 1794. It is in his hand writing, and appears to be a translation of part of a work published in Amsterdam in 1651, entitled, "Beschrijving Van Virginie, Neiu Nederland, &c.-A description of Virginia, New Netherand, &c.— P. 37. As it contains a description of the early settlements along the Delaware, at least thirty years previous to the arrival of Wm. Penn, we have thought it would amuse such of our readers as have a fondness for whatever relates to the "olden times" of our state. OF THE SOUTH BAY* AND SOUTH RIVER. The South Bay and South River, by many called the second great river of New Netherland, is situated in 38° 53', has two Capes, the northermost is called Cape May, the southernmost Cape Cornelius, and the Bay itself had the name of New-port-may, now Godyn's Bay: these names were given to these places about the time of their first discovery, before they had any others; the discovery itself was made at the same time when the North Rivert was discovered, by the same ship and people, who came to the South Bay before they went to the North Bay. The Dutch this year fitted out seven vessels Sept. 9. from New Amsterdam, with 6 or 700 men, who in the summer, under the command of Stuyvesant, came up the Delaware and took their quarters at Elsinburg, where they made the Swedes prisoners; they next sailed to a fort called Holy Trinity; having landed their men at a point near the place and entrenched themselves. They demanded a surrender of the fort; they obtained possession; took down the Sept. 16.Swedes' flag and hoisted their own, and sent the Swedish prisoners on board their vessels. This fort was considered the key to New SweSept. 25.den. On the 25th of September they besieged At the same time that forts were built upon the north Christiana, which surrendered, and afterwards and fresh rivers, since (the year 1623,) Fort Nassau was destroyed New Gottenburgh. The seige it is built on this river, commonly called the South River.said continued 14 days, when the Swedes were This fort lies on the eastern shore, it could have been as obliged to surrender, being in want of ammu- well situated on the western shore. Fifteen miles up nition. Thus the Dutch became in possession the river the bay runs principally south and north, it is of all the country on the west side of the Dela-called New-port-may, or Godyn's Bay; nine miles furware, which was for a time governed by deputies of the company's Director-general of New Amsterdam. This conduct of the Dutch was protested against by "the Swedish Resident at the Hague, as appears by his note to the States1656. general, dated 22d March, 1656. 1664. Charles 2d of England, determining to dispossess the Dutch, gave a patent to his brother the Duke of York, for a large tract of land including all the country known by the name of New Netherlands; who directed an expedition of 4 ships and 300 men, commanded by Capt. Nicolls; after getting possession of the fort at New Amsterdam from Stuyvesant, he sent Sir Rober Carr with the ships to the Delaware, who finding no opposition, took possession of New Amsterdam, now Newcastle-Nicolls was appointed governor and acted till 1688, when he was succeeded by Carr. The English and Dutch being at war, the latter sent a few ships 1672, against New York. The commander through treachery surrendered the fort without resist ance. Delaware again soon changed masters, but was in a few months, by a treaty of peace restored to the English, and Captains Cantwell and Tom deputed by the governor of New York to take possession of the country on the Delaware. ther we come to the river, which is six miles wide, so * Now Delaware bay and river. † Hudson's. 1828.] EARLY SETTLEMENT. 5 which can be well explained by the company's officers, who have all the papers, to which (besides the journals) we refer. with blood and dearly enough paid for. There is another creek on the eastern shore called the Varckens-kil* three miles from the mouth of the river; here some English settled, but the Director Kieft, drove them away The English have at several times tried to get this and protested against them; they received some assist-river, for they think they have the best title to it, but ance from the Swedes, who had at the same time deter- this has been hitherto prevented by several protests, and mined to keep the English out. The Swedish governor also by our violently driving them away, well knowing thinking this a good opportunity, has built a fort at this that if they once got a settlement there, we should lose place which is called Elsinburgt, and here he takes the river, or have a great deal of trouble with them, if great liberties with every one, even with the company's they should come there in large numbers. It is daily yachts, and all that want to go up the South River, for they reported among us, and we are informed it will happen must all, without exception, strike to this fort, and he soon, that many English families will resort hither, and sends two men on board to learn where they come from: it is thought that if these folks should get footing here, this is not much better than visiting them, as will appear they would soon overrun the whole country in such a in the end. Now what right these people have to do manner, that in a little time neither the Hollanders nor this we cannot tell: such an instrusion we do not under- the Swedes would have any thing to say, at least we stand, as that the subjects of other states, (such they should be in great danger of losing the whole or the say they are, and what commission they have we know greatest part of the river, unless some remarkable prenot,) should assume such mastery and authority as to caution should be soon taken, and this would then be the possess themselves of lands and goods which belong to fruit of our settling; for the report now is, that the Engothers, and were purchased with blood, not to mention lish will build a village and a trading house there, and in 'our charter. truth if they do begin in this manner, there is no one Up the river lies Maniquas-kil, and there the Swedes here in behalf of the company who will hinder them, or have built their Fort Christiana. This is a well situated can possibly do it; and not longer ago than last year, place, for there large vessels can come close to the shore several free people (whereof some were amongst us who and lade and unlade: there is another place up the river had and could have good friends at home) begged for a called Schuyl-kil, a good situation for navigation, former- place to set up in, a trading house, and some breweries ly settled by the Dutch, but of this the Swedes have now amongst the planters, upon condition that we should give got almost entire possession. There are also up this river them some suitable liberties and exemptions, but these several pretty and pleasant islands, and other places were refused by the General, who said he could not do heretofore settled by the Dutch, (from whom also they it, as he had no order or commission from their excelgot their names,) and several other things, which are lencies, his superiors, about it, but if they chose to do it more than sufficient arguments to prove that the river without such freedoms, it might be winked at; and if we belongs to the Netherlanders and not to the Swedes; tell his excellency that we have such privileges offered their very beginnings will prove this, for eleven years us by the neighbours, if we will declare ourselves subago, in the year 1638, one Minne-wits, (who had the di-jects of their government, and that in settling here we rection at the Manathans, in behalf of the West India run a great risk from the Swedes and the English, his Company) came up the river with a ship called the excellency answers that he knows it, and is well convincd Kalme-Sleutel, and a yatcht called the Vogel-Gryp, who it is as we say, but that his orders from his superiors are told the Netherlanders who possessed the river, (in be- such, that he cannot answer it to them. Now we are at half of the company and the Lord of Nederhorst, that a loss what to do; but one of the two must be true, that he had formerly made a voyage to the West Indies, § and is, either the Director or the Company, or both, must be that he did some business with the savages, and furnished in fault; be it as it will, one throws the blame upon the his vessel with water and wood, and they let him go other, and between them every thing is going to ruin: away again. Some time after that, some of our people strangers settle the country and fare very well, and ridiwent there again, and found that there was a little gar- cule us if we say any thing: they get privileges and exden made there already, containing sallads, potherbs, emptions, which, if our Netherlanders had and enjoyed and several other things, at which they wondered much, as they do, without doubt, with divine assistance (withasked how that happened, and whether they were re-out which we can do nothing,) we should flourish as well solved to stay there, which the apologized for in a shuf- if not better than they do. fling evasive manner, nevertheless some presumed that it was so. The third voyage he said was to build a good fort, which was their intention and design: when the Director Kieft came to have knowledge of the affair, he protested against it, but in vain; they had no notion of dropping their design, as we saw very clearly in the sequel. It serves for a proof that above Maghchachansie, among the Sanhikans, the arms of their high mightinesses were set up, by order of the Director Kieft, as a token that the river with all the neighbouring countries and farms with their appurtenances, were in possesion of and belonged to their high mightinesses. But what profit have they as yet yielded? only, a long continued contempt, and lessening their importance; for the Swedes by an overbearing haughtiness, threw them down, and now we let it remain, so they and the aforesaid governor think it an heroic action. This is true, that we made several protests, as well against these as other things, but they had just as much effect as a crow's flying over their heads, and it was apprehended that if this governor had had a passage for his people, we should have more sport with him than we had with the English or any of their governors; and this, in short, respecting the Swedes, Vessels cleared out from Philadelphia, from 1719 to 1725 age (as by register,) that have been cleared out to sex 1719, November 1. 1720 do 1721 do 1722 do do do do Number of Vessels. Their Tonage. 1723 * This probably alludes to proposed settlements of English from New Haven colony, who claimed a right by purchase from the Indians, respecting which set tlement some documents will be soon published.-Ed. COMMERCE WITH GREAT BRITAIN. The annexed table of imports from, and exports to Great Britain, is extracted, principally, from a work, entitled, "The Trade of Great Britain," by Sir Charles Whitworth-the residue we have supplied from Anderson's History of Commerce. It exhibits an interesting view of probably the origin and progress of that trade, which occupies the most important rank in the commerce of the present day. The table commences with the year 1697, only about sixteen years after the landing of Penn. Previously to this period, it is probable, the settlers were too much occupied with other matters, to engage further in commerce than to supply themselves Imports. Exports. Year £ sterling s. d. £sterling 8. d. Excess of Imports. with what few necessaries they required. The amount with which the table commences, both of imports and exports, is not as great as many an invoice imported, at the present day by individuals. The balance is uniformly against this country; and (towards the last of the series) to an immense amount. This also appears to have been the case between Great Britain, and New England and New York. While the balance is uniformly, and very largely, in favour of Virginia and Maryland. The articles of export, from this state, at that time, were chiefly timber, copper ore, iron in pigs and bars, grain and flour. Exports. Imports. Excess of Imports. £sterling s. d. Year £ sterling 8. d. ||£steriing 8. d.||£ sterling| 8.] d. 30,324 16 1 48,592 7 5 44,260 16 1 40,565 8 1734 20,217 3 2 54,392 710 7,660 15 7 26,267 14 0 30,2281211 31,67415 3 19,156 410 22,248 5 5 22,364 14 9 38,010 6 1 31,474 47 33,174 1 1 25,788 89 34,175 4 8 26,885 5 1 40,727 14 41,491 9 3 49,531 12 9 46,318 0 2 73,852 11 3 66,767 10 8 69,744 210 54,767 19 5 44,150 19 57,920 410 78,572 14 4 62,966 11 7 223,692 14 10 189,522 010 The following table exhibits the state of the same trade with New England, New York, Virginia and Maryland, at the same periods; from which it appears, that the imports into New York, in 1697, only exceeded those of Pennsylvania by about £1,600, notwithstanding the former was settled eighty-two years before. And in 1773, the imports, into Pennsylvania, exceeded those of New York £137,233 178. 8d.; and those of Virginia, (which was settled about 90 years prior,) £97,544 18. 7d. New England was settled about 77 years before. Annual Report of the President and Managers of the Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania, to the Stockholders. In obedience to the injunction of the charter, the Board of the Union Canal Company now make their annual statement: It is with great satisfaction they can say, that the Union Canal, which is to form the great link of communication between the Susquehanna and Philadelphia, is now complete in all its parts, with the exception of the planking on the summit, which will be finished in ten or fifteen days. 7 from thence through the State Canal to Harrisburgh, so as to exhibit a Union Canal Boat at the seat of government, and thus remove the prejudices which now exist in the minds of some, against the size and capacity of the boats. In relation to what are usually denominated the narrow boats of the Union Canal, the Board will remark, that the science and experience of the world are now enlisted on the side of narrow boats, as adapted to carry an adequate quantity with greater facility and economy than large boats. Upon the Union Canal, ten men and ten boys, with ten boats and ten horses, will carry and bring back 250 tons, with less labour and in less time, than can be done with boats which are usually denominated "wide boats," whatever may be their size. The boats which are constructed for the use of the Union Canal, and which for some time have been used upon the eastence, to be able to carry at least 26 tons, and to be easily drawn by one horse, and passed through each lock in five or six minutes. Notwithstanding difficulties and embarrassments which in the internal navigation of the United States are unprecedented, the Board believe that the Union Canal pre-ern and western sections, are found, by actual experisents a work of improvement, which, for economy of expenditure, for beauty, solidity, and adaptation to its purpose, will be found unequalled in our country. The Board will refrain at the present time from a The New-York Canal Commissioners, in their official minuteness of detail, as from former reports, when the report to the legislature, say, that by constructing two parts of the work were incomplete, a correct opinion sets of locks, they can pass 1,900,000 tons annually, and may be formed of what has been done in relation to with single locks one half that quantity. Now let us locks, dams, aqueducts, tunnelling, embankments, tow- suppose that the locks of the Union Canal will pass 8 ing paths, bridges, waste weirs, culverts, and excava-boats an hour, of 25 tons each, or one every 7 minutes; tion. It may moreover be said, that the picturesque then it follows that 200 tons will pass every hour, or 4800 country through which the canal flows; the judgment tons in 24 hours. If then the Canal is navigable but 250 with which it is laid out; the taste and style of beauty days a year, 1,200,000 tons may be passed in a single with which it is constructed, and the rational curiosity year. which is felt to see a work so intimately connected with It will be competent, as has been heretofore stated, the prosperity of our state and its fine metropolis, have to enlarge the capacity of the Canal, by raising the banks attracted many of the stockholders to the place of its and locks one foot, and boats of 40 tons each may then location, where all the parts have been personally in-navigate the Canal with facility, or 1,920,000 tons may spected. The Board will proceed to explain the reason why it was impracticable to open an extensive trade during the past season, and why they now confidently predict the benefit of an uninterrupted navigation during the ensuing year, and thus accomplishing the most important step towards developing the riches of Pennsylvania, and giving to Philadelphia the advantages of her geographical position in relation to the interior of our state, and of the western country generally, a position which will make her the commercial capital of that country. Early in the last summer, the whole canal was considered in a state of completion, and preparations were making to fill the entire line with water, when unfortunately, after the passage of the first boat, the steam-engine pump, which had been constructed in Pittsburg, was broken, and the summit was found less retentive of water than had been anticipated. These unavoidable accidents (against the recurrence of which effectual measures have been taken,) have been the prime cause of the unexpected delay which has taken place. pass in a single year. The whole commerce of all the branches of the Susquehanna had been estimated at 200,000 tons, and the Pennsylvania Canal Commissioners say, in their report to the last legislature, that the total of the commerce which passes the mouth of the Juniata by water, from the north and west, of a kind to be carried on a canal in preference to the river, is 125,000 tons. From the foregoing facts, the Board and the public must be brought to the irresistible conclusion, that although a liberal policy requires that no objection should be made to the accommodation of other districts of country, either with rail-roads or canals, the Union Canal will for many years to come, have the capacity of conveying to market the whole produce of all the branches of the Susquehanna. The Treasurer's account, showing the sum of $31,702 16 cents to be the balance of cash in his hands on the 1st inst. is herewith submitted, and the further sum of $5000 will be received in a few days, as the last instalment due from the commonwealth, which will complete the whole amount subscribed under the act of 1821, by the state and by individuals. The steam-engine, as well as the great water wheel with the pumps, are now in perfect order, and before the opening of the spring, a second water wheel, and a In conclusion, the Board will remark, that the Union second steam-engine, will be in readiness, for the pur- Canal Company are engaged in the construction of a .pose of rendering more certain, at all times, an abun-work which, in times that are gone by, from difficulties dant supply of water. financial aud physical, failed in the hands of David RitThe Board, taking into consideration the limestone tenhouse, Robert Morris, and other master spirits of soil through which the summit is constructed, and the Pennsylvania. Under the protecting and helping hand immense advantage which will result from preventing all of the legislature, it is now on the eve of accomplishfiltration or soakage, have, with the advice of Canvass ment. The unavoidable difficulties, and which may be White, esq. their engineer, (as will be seen by his re-chiefly ascribable to the nature of the soil, have never port hereto annexed,) nearly completed the planking of disheartened the Board, and they have been sustained the sides and bottom of the entire summit, and it is be- and animated by a correspondent feeling on the part of lieved that the water may be admitted before the close the Stockholders, who have at all times, when called of the season. Every other part of the canal, including upon, freely paid their respective instalments. If any the navigable feeder, is now filled with water to the ex-new and now unforeseen difficulties present themselves, tent of about eighty miles, and used for the transportation of coal, lumber, and other commodities. As it is hoped the State Canal will, before the close of the year, be navigable from Middletown to Harrisburg, efforts will be made to pass a boat through the whole extent of the Union Canal to Middletown, and every resource of labour and art must be called forth to overcome them. The Union Canal is the hope of Philadelphia, and so far as the commercial greatness and the ample revenue Philadelphia affords the state, is a matter of concern, it is the hope of Pennsylvania. Nature, by limiting the number of springs and streams of water, has fixed limits to which canals can be carried from the Susquehanna to the commercial capital of our state, and it is believed that no other direct water communication can ever be made. Every faculty must therefore be employed to sustain and preserve the Union Canal; and when the greatest and most useful enterprise the new world has yet witnessed, and in which the commonwealth is now engaged-when the Pennsylvania Canal shall have reached the shores of the Ohio and the Lakes the richest results to the Stockholders, and to the public, will be fully enjoyed. All which is respectfully submitted. By order of the Board of Managers. SAMUEL MIFFLIN, President. White, Esq. engineer in chief, and Mr. William Lehman, principal superintendant: Therefore, Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be presented to the gentlemen above named, together with the assurance that the members of this Board will always enter tain for their services the highest consideration and the most marked regard. Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing he presented to each of the gentlemen above named... Pottsville, (Mount Carbon,) Dec. 29. The canal navigation is almost closed for this season: It is true it is yet open and in fine navigablé order. But few of our coal, and other merchants will venture down it at this advanced stage of the season, lest their boats. The following gentlemen were chosen to conduct the should be frozen up at a disrance from home. Last affairs of the company, for the ensuing year: President.-Samuel Mifflin. Managers.-William Lehman, George Vaux, William Boyd, William Read, Charles Graff, John C. Stocker, William W. Fisher, John Gratz, Francis G. Smith, Peter Hahn, William F. Birch, Samuel Baird, of Reading. winter the canal closed on the 15th of December, and Extract of a letter. received at the Union Canal Office,, if not quite, double that of the present. There will dated, LEBANON, Dec. 30, 1827. Yesterday afternoon, the boat Susquehanna, of Lebanon, captain May, passed this place with a load of Wilkesbarre Coal, from the Susquehanna, bound for Philadelphia; at which place I expect she will arrive on the first of January. There is three feet depth of water in the summit: the supply, from reservoirs being more than sufficient to keep up that depth. The navigation is now in good order, I may say perfect, from Lewis's pond on the Schulykill below Reading, to Middletown on the Susquehanna; as well as the navigable feeder to Jones-town on the Swatara. Six boats have already arrived at this place, with lumber and other articles, and to day I expect the beautiful boat Hummelstown Enterprise, Capt. Richards will be here from that place. Extract from the minutes of the Board of Managers, of the Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania, at an adjourned meeting held on the 1st inst. WILLIAM READ, Esq. in the chair. "A letter from WILLIAM LEHMAN, Superintendant of the works, dated Lebanon, December 30, was received and read, stating that the summit was now filled, and that the boat Susquehanna which had passed over westward with her load of castings, and delivered it at the water works on Swatara, had then taken in a load of Wilksbarre coal from the Susquehannah, and had passed the summit level on her way eastward, and may be expected to arrive in this city this evening; and that the navigation of the Union canal throughout its whole length, from Middletown on the Susquehanna, to the Schuylkill below Reading, and the navigable feeder are now in complete order. On receiving this important intelligence the Board experience the most lively sensations of satisfaction, being fully persuaded that under the favour of providence they have been enabled to accomplish a most arduons undertaking, which in utility and importance to the state of Pennsylvania and to the city of Philadelphia, can never be surpassed. Under the impressions occasioned by this happy result, and in a review of the various difficulties which have been met with and overcome, the Board would be unjust to their own feelings, did they not record their conviction that the successful execution of this great enterprise, is mainly to be ascribed to the talents, industry, strenuous perseverance and faithful devotion of the principal officers of the Company, especially of Samuel Mifflin, Esq. the president of this Board; of Canvas We believe it almost impossible for human ingenuity to conceive the degree of affluence and prosperity, which our town and country will ultimately arrive at Our canal is capable of passing at least one million of tons annually. And should our coal trade increase in the same ratio it has done, in five years it will exceed that amount. What is to prevent this? Surely not an excess of supply or an exhaustion of the coal region. The demand will exceed the supply either in the foreign or domestic market, and the coal region, from the best conjecture we can form, contains a sufficient quantity to supply the world for ages. An immense quantity will be shipped. the next year to foreign countries, besides a vast deal, coastwise. Coal has been found admirably adapted to the manufacture of sugar, and the consumption will be very great in the West Indies, where a great deal has. already been sent for this purpose. The steamboats on the North river, alone, it has been calculated, would consume during the season, (say eight, navigable months,) 30,000 tons, provided the certainty of supply could be depended on.—There is little doubt, but that anthracite will soon find a profitable market England. A barrel of coal was recently sent by a gêntleman in this country, to a cutler in England, who, git making the experiment, pronounced it far superior for, manufacturing edged tools, to any other coal then in use in England. Anthracite is, comparatively, but little known; and when it shall be completely understoo every other species of fuel will give place to it ners Journal. Schuylkill Company's Canal.-Reading Jam 1.-Tis day the water will be turned from the canal, and the navigation closed for the present season. It has been in operation about nine months this year and the amount of commodities which it has floated to market is immense. Pennsylvania Canal.-Section nineteen, of the Sus quehannah division of this canal, which was let in Atgust last, has, we understand, been completed within the last few days. It is, we believe, the first section which has been completed on the Pennsylvania Canal; with a slope vatt founded in the river along its whole length. The contractors, Messrs M'Cord, Ritner and Cameron, at a very low price, much below the estimate of the engineer.--Harrisburg Reporter. |