The Island at the Center of the World Part 10

"best of all His Majties": E. B. O'Callaghan and Berthold Fernow, trans. Doc.u.ments Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Doc.u.ments Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, 3:106. Hereafter cited as Docs. Rel. 3:106. Hereafter cited as Docs. Rel.

CHAPTER 1 1.

His complicated personality: I have used all of the standard sources in constructing my portrait of Hudson: Richard Hakluyt, The Princ.i.p.al Navigations Voyages Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation, The Princ.i.p.al Navigations Voyages Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation, vol. 3; Samuel Purchas, vol. 3; Samuel Purchas, Hakluytus Posthumus or Purchas his Pilgrimes, Hakluytus Posthumus or Purchas his Pilgrimes, vol. 13; G. M. Asher, ed., vol. 13; G. M. Asher, ed., Henry Hudson the Navigator: The Original Doc.u.ments in Which His Career Is Recorded; Henry Hudson the Navigator: The Original Doc.u.ments in Which His Career Is Recorded; Henry Cruse Murphy, Henry Cruse Murphy, Henry Hudson in Holland; Henry Hudson in Holland; John Meredith Read, Jr., John Meredith Read, Jr., A Historical Inquiry Concerning Henry Hudson, His Friends, Relatives, and Early Life, His Connection with the Muscovy Company, and Discovery of Delaware Bay; A Historical Inquiry Concerning Henry Hudson, His Friends, Relatives, and Early Life, His Connection with the Muscovy Company, and Discovery of Delaware Bay; Llewelyn Powys, Llewelyn Powys, Henry Hudson; Henry Hudson; and Edgar Mayhew Bacon, and Edgar Mayhew Bacon, Henry Hudson: His Times and His Voyages. Henry Hudson: His Times and His Voyages. I've also consulted Philip Edwards, ed., I've also consulted Philip Edwards, ed., Last Voyages: Cavendish, Hudson, Ralegh, The Original Narratives; Last Voyages: Cavendish, Hudson, Ralegh, The Original Narratives; Donald S. Johnson, Donald S. Johnson, Charting the Sea of Darkness: The Four Voyages of Henry Hudson; Charting the Sea of Darkness: The Four Voyages of Henry Hudson; and Douglas McNaughton, "The Ghost of Henry Hudson." and Douglas McNaughton, "The Ghost of Henry Hudson."

Since we know his destination: The journal of Abacuk p.r.i.c.ket, printed in Purchas, Hakluytus Posthumus or Purchas his Pilgrimes, Hakluytus Posthumus or Purchas his Pilgrimes, vol. 13, confirms that Hudson had a house in London; Powys, vol. 13, confirms that Hudson had a house in London; Powys, Henry Hudson, Henry Hudson, 1, says that it was "somewhere near the Tower of London." Muscovy House was originally located in Seething Lane, but, according to Armand J. Gerson et al., 1, says that it was "somewhere near the Tower of London." Muscovy House was originally located in Seething Lane, but, according to Armand J. Gerson et al., Studies in History of English Commerce During the Tudor Period, Studies in History of English Commerce During the Tudor Period, 33 (quoting Husting Roll 341, 29), the company moved prior to 1570 to a location "in the parish of St. Antholin London in or neare a certayne streete since the . . . late dreadfull fire in London called and knowne by the name of Dukes Street." St. Antholin's was on Budge Row, in Cordwainer Street Ward. In reconstructing Hudson's walk, I have used the "Agas map," reprinted in Adrian Prockter and Robert Taylor, 33 (quoting Husting Roll 341, 29), the company moved prior to 1570 to a location "in the parish of St. Antholin London in or neare a certayne streete since the . . . late dreadfull fire in London called and knowne by the name of Dukes Street." St. Antholin's was on Budge Row, in Cordwainer Street Ward. In reconstructing Hudson's walk, I have used the "Agas map," reprinted in Adrian Prockter and Robert Taylor, The A to Z of Elizabethan London; The A to Z of Elizabethan London; Claes Jansz Visscher's view of London circa 1616, reprinted in John Wellsman, ed., Claes Jansz Visscher's view of London circa 1616, reprinted in John Wellsman, ed., London Before the Fire; London Before the Fire; and John Stow's and John Stow's A Survey of London Written in the Year 1598. A Survey of London Written in the Year 1598.

Among its charter members: The main argument for a line of interrelated Hudsons in the Muscovy Company is made by Read, A Historical Inquiry Concerning Henry Hudson. A Historical Inquiry Concerning Henry Hudson.

"Here lyeth": Ibid., 41.

"st.u.r.dye Beggers": Jessica A. Browner, "Wrong Side of the River: London's disreputable South Bank in the sixteenth and seventeenth century"; and A. L. Beier, "Vagrants and the Social Order in Elizabethan England," 1011.

From the bravado of its formal name: My sources on the Muscovy Company and the mid-Tudor period are David Loades, The Mid-Tudor Crisis, 15451565; The Mid-Tudor Crisis, 15451565; Richard Hakluyt, Richard Hakluyt, The Discovery of Muscovy; The Discovery of Muscovy; Purchas, Purchas, Hakluytus Posthumus; Hakluytus Posthumus; Charlotte Fell-Smith, Charlotte Fell-Smith, John Dee; John Dee; Raymond H. Fisher, Raymond H. Fisher, The Russian Fur Trade, 15501700; The Russian Fur Trade, 15501700; Peter J. French, Peter J. French, John Dee: The World of an Elizabethan Magus; John Dee: The World of an Elizabethan Magus; Armand Gerson, Earnest Vaughn, and Neva Ruth Deardorff, Armand Gerson, Earnest Vaughn, and Neva Ruth Deardorff, Studies in the History of English Commerce During the Tudor Period; Studies in the History of English Commerce During the Tudor Period; Henry Harrisse, Henry Harrisse, John Cabot, the Discoverer of North-America, and Sebastian His Son; John Cabot, the Discoverer of North-America, and Sebastian His Son; Garrett Mattingly, Garrett Mattingly, The Armada; The Armada; Samuel Eliot Morison, Samuel Eliot Morison, The European Discovery of America, The European Discovery of America, vol. 1, vol. 1, The Northern Voyages; The Northern Voyages; Geraldine M. Phipps, Geraldine M. Phipps, Sir John Merrick: English Merchant-Diplomat in Seventeenth Century Russia; Sir John Merrick: English Merchant-Diplomat in Seventeenth Century Russia; David B. Quinn and A. N. Ryan, David B. Quinn and A. N. Ryan, England's Sea Empire, 15501642; England's Sea Empire, 15501642; E. G. R. Taylor, E. G. R. Taylor, Tudor Geography; Tudor Geography; T. S. Willan, T. S. Willan, The Muscovy Merchants of 1555; The Muscovy Merchants of 1555; and James A. Williamson, and James A. Williamson, The Age of Drake. The Age of Drake.

English traders had been blocked: Loades, The Mid-Tudor Crisis, 15451565, The Mid-Tudor Crisis, 15451565, 73. 73.

Giovanni Cabotto: Samuel Eliot Morison (The Great Explorers, (The Great Explorers, 4041) says it was probably either Cabotto or Gabote. 4041) says it was probably either Cabotto or Gabote.

some mariners were confused: E. G. R. Taylor, Tudor Geography, Tudor Geography, 86. 86.

the Englishmen's Strait: Ibid., 34.

fretum arctic.u.m . . . As with most people: Ibid., 8185. As with most people: Ibid., 8185.

twenty-five pounds . . . six thousand pounds: Conyers Read, Mr. Secretary Walsingham, Mr. Secretary Walsingham, 3:371. 3:371.

"near the pole the sun s.h.i.+nes": Powys, Henry Hudson, Henry Hudson, 26. 26.

"an age wherein": Albert Gray, "An Address on the Occasion of the Tercentenary of the Death of Richard Hakluyt."

the "perpetual clearness": Donald Johnson, Charting the Sea of Darkness, Charting the Sea of Darkness, 20. 20.

six-million-square-mile Arctic ice shelf: "In the arctic late winter, sea ice covers about 10 million square miles on top of the globe, while in summer the ice pack shrinks to about 6 million square miles, according to Martin Jeffries, an a.s.sociate research professor of geophysics at the Geophysical Inst.i.tute." Ned Rozell, "Sea Ice Reduction May Be Another Climate Change Clue." Alaska Science Forum Alaska Science Forum Article 1255 (October 5, 1995). Article 1255 (October 5, 1995).

Church of St. Ethelburga: Hakluyt, Princ.i.p.al Navigations Voyages, Princ.i.p.al Navigations Voyages, 3:567. 3:567.

"This morning we saw": Purchas, Hakluytus Posthumus, Hakluytus Posthumus, 13:30607. 13:30607.

"We set sayle": Ibid., 313.

"it is so full of ice": Ibid., 329.

"out of hope": Ibid., 328.

"sunk into the lowest depths": Ibid., 300.

CHAPTER 2 2.

"magnificent fountain": Harry Sieber, "The Magnificent Fountain: Literary Patronage in the Court of Philip III."

"strenuous spirit": Simon Schama, The Embarra.s.sment of Riches, The Embarra.s.sment of Riches, 53. 53.

sometimes even buying: H. F. K. van Nierop, The n.o.bility of Holland, The n.o.bility of Holland, 212. 212.

"The Originals of the two": John Adams, A collection of state papers . . . , A collection of state papers . . . , 399. 399.

he may even have spent: Adriaen van der Donck, in his telling of Hudson's story, says that Hudson had lived in Holland. Although historians have dismissed this account as self-serving to the Dutch claim to New Netherland, a familiarity with the country would help to explain Hudson's quick decision to sail for the Dutch, as well as his friends.h.i.+ps with Plancius and De Hondt.

"present negotiations": G. M. Asher, ed., Henry Hudson the Navigator: The Original Doc.u.ments in Which His Career Is Recorded, Henry Hudson the Navigator: The Original Doc.u.ments in Which His Career Is Recorded, 245. 245.

"has found that the more northwards": Ibid., 246.

"there are also many rich": Ibid., 253.

"to think of discovering": Llewelyn Powys, Henry Hudson, Henry Hudson, 81. 81.

"This is the entrance": Purchas, Hakluytus Posthumus or Purchas his Pilgrimes, Hakluytus Posthumus or Purchas his Pilgrimes, 13:356. 13:356.

"an abundance of blue plums": J. F. Jameson, Narratives of New Netherland, 16091664, Narratives of New Netherland, 16091664, 37. 37.

the Moravian missionary: John Heckewelder, History, Manners, and Customs of the Indian Nations, History, Manners, and Customs of the Indian Nations, 7175 7175 "a very good harbor": Quotes in this and the following paragraph are from Juet's journal as reprinted in Purchas, Hakluytus Posthumus, Hakluytus Posthumus, vol. 13. vol. 13.

"Juan Hudson": I. N. P. Stokes, ed., Iconography of Manhattan Island, 14981909, Iconography of Manhattan Island, 14981909, 2:44. 2:44.

"as fine a river": Van Meteren, in Asher, Henry Hudson, Henry Hudson, 150. 150.

"Vellen . . . Pelterijen . . .": The English and Dutch versions are in ibid. The English and Dutch versions are in ibid.

Even as he was being lowered: All details in this scene come from Abacuk p.r.i.c.kett's account of the mutiny, as printed in vol. 13 of Purchas, Hakluytus Posthumus. Hakluytus Posthumus. p.r.i.c.kett's account is skewed and untrustworthy-he makes himself and his fellow survivors blameless bystanders in the mutiny, conveniently fingering those who had died on the return voyage as the ringleaders-but there is no reason to mistrust the details regarding weather, dress, and so on. p.r.i.c.kett's account is skewed and untrustworthy-he makes himself and his fellow survivors blameless bystanders in the mutiny, conveniently fingering those who had died on the return voyage as the ringleaders-but there is no reason to mistrust the details regarding weather, dress, and so on.

"to the great kingdoms": Asher, Henry Hudson, Henry Hudson, 255. The charter of the new company was made in 1612. The actual trial didn't take place until 1618, after several unsuccessful attempts to navigate the pa.s.sage the mutineers claimed to have discovered. 255. The charter of the new company was made in 1612. The actual trial didn't take place until 1618, after several unsuccessful attempts to navigate the pa.s.sage the mutineers claimed to have discovered.

Arnout Vogels: Information about Vogels comes from Van Cleaf Bachman, Peltries or Plantations: The Economic Policies of the Dutch West India Company in New Netherland, 16231639, Peltries or Plantations: The Economic Policies of the Dutch West India Company in New Netherland, 16231639, 36. 36.

CHAPTER 3 3.

From Amsterdam the s.h.i.+ps made their way: Van Cleaf Bachman, Peltries or Plantations: The Economic Policies of the Dutch West India Company in New Netherland, 16231639, Peltries or Plantations: The Economic Policies of the Dutch West India Company in New Netherland, 16231639, 16. 16.

"de riviere Hudson": I. N. P. Stokes, ed., Iconography of Manhattan Island, 14981909, Iconography of Manhattan Island, 14981909, 4:41. 4:41.

"It is obvious": Bachman, Peltries or Plantations, Peltries or Plantations, 31. 31.

"sinews of war": E. B. O'Callaghan, The History of New Netherland, The History of New Netherland, 1:31. 1:31.

"12 s.h.i.+ps and yachts": Docs. Rel., 1:3536.

"more like princes' palaces": K. H. D. Haley, The Dutch in the Seventeenth Century, The Dutch in the Seventeenth Century, 158. 158.

The councillor who administered: A. J. F. van Laer, trans., Doc.u.ments Relating to New Netherland, 16241626, in the Henry E. Huntington Library, Doc.u.ments Relating to New Netherland, 16241626, in the Henry E. Huntington Library, "Provisional Regulations for the Colonists," and also Van Laer's note, p. 256: "Dr. Claes Petersz was the well-known physician Dr. Nicolaes Pietersen Tulp, the central figure in Rembrandt's famous painting called "Provisional Regulations for the Colonists," and also Van Laer's note, p. 256: "Dr. Claes Petersz was the well-known physician Dr. Nicolaes Pietersen Tulp, the central figure in Rembrandt's famous painting called The Lesson in Anatomy, The Lesson in Anatomy, which hangs in the Mauritshuis at the Hague. Dr. Tulp was from 1622 to his death, in 1674, a member of the council and at different times schepen and burgomaster of the city of Amsterdam. Hans Bontemantel says that he never called himself otherwise than 'Claes Pieterss,' and that 'Tulp' was a nickname, derived from which hangs in the Mauritshuis at the Hague. Dr. Tulp was from 1622 to his death, in 1674, a member of the council and at different times schepen and burgomaster of the city of Amsterdam. Hans Bontemantel says that he never called himself otherwise than 'Claes Pieterss,' and that 'Tulp' was a nickname, derived from tulp, tulp, or tulip, which was placed over his front door." or tulip, which was placed over his front door."

Catalina Trico and Joris Rapalje: George Olin Zabriskie and Alice P. Kennedy, "The Founding Families of New Netherland, No. 4-The Rapalje-Rapelje Family."

Catalina Trico, now in her eighties: Joel Munsell, A Doc.u.mentary History of the State of New York, A Doc.u.mentary History of the State of New York, 3:32. 3:32.

The records of New Netherland show: References to Rapalje and Trico are scattered throughout the colonial records; the pa.s.sage of their lives can be traced through the index to E. B. O'Callaghan, Calendar of Historical Ma.n.u.scripts in the Office of the Secretary of State. Calendar of Historical Ma.n.u.scripts in the Office of the Secretary of State.

In the 1770s: Patricia Bonomi, A Factious People, A Factious People, 277. 277.

Their descendants: Interview with Harry Macy, editor of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record and a Rapalje descendant, April 2, 2003. and a Rapalje descendant, April 2, 2003.

In contemporary scientific terms: United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Southern New EnglandNew York Bight Coastal Ecosystems Program. "Significant Habitats and Habitat Complexes of the New York Bight Watershed."

"reeds": Robert Grumet, Native American Place Names in New York City, Native American Place Names in New York City, 24. 24.

oysters: Adriaen van der Donck, A Description of New Netherland, A Description of New Netherland, trans. Diederik Goedhuys, 74. trans. Diederik Goedhuys, 74.

"hilly island": Grumet, Native American Place Names, Native American Place Names, 2324. 2324.

"Here we found beautiful rivers": Stokes Iconography, Iconography, 4:60. 4:60.

"It is very pleasant": J. F. Jameson, Narratives of New Netherland, Narratives of New Netherland, 16091664, 16091664, 77. 77.

"hovels and holes": Van Laer, "Annals of New Netherland: The Essays of A. J. F. van Laer," ed. and annot. Charles Gehring, 12.

"as high as a man": Jameson, Narratives, Narratives, 76. 76.

after more than a decade: s.h.i.+rley Dunn, The Mohicans and Their Land 16091730, The Mohicans and Their Land 16091730, 76. 76.

"in figure, build . . . jet-black, quite sleek": Van der Donck, Description, Description, 9091. 9091.

"he shall be very careful": Van Laer, Doc.u.ments Relating, Doc.u.ments Relating, 55. 55.

"He shall also see": Ibid., 39.

He had grown up speaking: Information about Minuit's family and early life comes from C. A. Weslager, A Man and His s.h.i.+p: Peter Minuit and the Kalmar Nyckel, A Man and His s.h.i.+p: Peter Minuit and the Kalmar Nyckel, 1420. 1420.

"He shall have": Van Laer, Doc.u.ments Relating, Doc.u.ments Relating, 44. 44.

So he bought it: The order of events is far from clear, and historians debate whether Verhulst or Minuit was the one who purchased Manhattan Island. My account is based on my own reading of all relevant primary source material, as well as the arguments made by various historians. I side against those who in recent decades removed Minuit from his legendary position as purchaser of the island, and with those who rea.s.sign him to that position. Reasons: the substance of the "further instructions" to Verhulst and the dates of Minuit's trip to the Netherlands and of his return suggest the directors were fed up with Verhulst and also realized, perhaps thanks to Minuit's information, that a new central base for the province was needed. Some historians have noted evidence of settlers on Manhattan prior to May 1626, but that doesn't mean the company had already bought the island. More to the point, the whole weight of the events gives a picture of Minuit taking charge and reorganizing the province, something Verhulst, given his weak leaders.h.i.+p and position, couldn't have done.

humorist Dave Barry: Dave Barry, "A Certified Wacko Rewrites History's Greatest Hits," Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 26 December 1999. 26 December 1999.

their genetic makeup: Bryan Sykes, The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry, The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry, 279280. 279280.

it has been estimated: J. C. H. King, First People, First Contacts: Native Peoples of North America, First People, First Contacts: Native Peoples of North America, 8. 8.

such as one in South Carolina: Stuart Banner, "Manhattan for $24: American Indian Land Sales, 16071763."

sold for sc.r.a.p paper: Docs. Rel., 1:xxv.

"surprise, mortification": John Romeyn Brodhead, An Address Delivered Before the New York Historical Society. An Address Delivered Before the New York Historical Society.

quotations from Van Rappard doc.u.ments: Van Laer, Doc.u.ments Relating, Doc.u.ments Relating, 4559. 4559.

tabard . . . fur coat: Ibid., 180.

Schaghen letter: Translation from Van Laer, "Annals of New Netherland," 14.

"Received a letter": Docs. Rel., 1:38.

"Duffels, Kittles": Cornelis Melyn, "The Melyn Papers, 16401699," 124.

"deliver yearly": Charles Gehring, trans. and ed., Land Papers 16301664, Land Papers 16301664, 8. 8.

Andries Hudde sold: A. J. F. van Laer, New York Historical Ma.n.u.scripts New York Historical Ma.n.u.scripts 1:45. Hereafter cited as 1:45. Hereafter cited as NYHM. NYHM.

West India Company soldier earned: The Bontemantel Papers include a record of the salaries of New Netherland officials, from the director-general on down. These doc.u.ments show that a soldier was paid eight to nine guilders per month.

In 1648: Janny Venema, "The Court Case of Brant Aertsz van Slichtenhorst Against Jan van Rensselaer," paper read during the 2000 Rensselaerswijck Seminar in Albany, New York.

"because he is well acquainted": Van Laer, Doc.u.ments Relating, Doc.u.ments Relating, 176. 176.

"All seafaring persons": NYHM NYHM 4:8. 4:8.

"[E]ach and every one": Ibid., 4.

"notwithstanding her husband's presence": Ibid., 1:55. In vol. 4:5, of the same series, Thomas Beeche (here called Tomas Bescher) is referred to as an Englishman.

De Rasiere added: Van Laer, Doc.u.ments Relating, Doc.u.ments Relating, 188, 19899. 188, 19899.