1643] NEW NETHERLANDS UNDER STUYVESANT.

97

the tomahawk. The war was afterwards renewed; and the Dutch escaped utter destruction only by appointing John Underhill, who had won renown in the Pequod war, to the command of their forces. His courage and management were finally successful.

145. The people were tired of Kieft, whose cruelty had provoked this disastrous war, and procured his recall. Peter Stuyvesant, a veteran who had served with distinction in the West Indies, succeeded. Stuyvesant cultivated the friendship of the Indians, settled boundary disputes, granted the colony a more liberal system of trade, and promoted its interest in various ways.

At this time, the island on which the great city of New York stands was occupied mostly by farmers. The tract now known as "the Park" was covered with a forest, in which boys gathered chestnuts, and tanners procured their bark. Land was very cheap, and Stuyvesant bought for a mere trifle that "Bowerie" beyond the town from which one of the principal streets of the city is named. A wall was run across the island, at what is now Wall-street, to keep off the Indians. Here is a view of New York, as it appeared from the Bay about 1650.

renewal of the war whom did the Dutch make their leader? What was the result? 145. How did the people feel towards Kieft? By whom was he superseded? What measures were taken by Stuyvesant? Describe Manhattan Island at this time. 146.

sant conquered New Sweden, since called Delaware. Dur ing his absence, sixty-four canoes full of Indians appeared before New Amsterdam, and did considerable damage. His return restored peace. The colony from time to time received large additions, many victims of persecution in different parts of Europe seeking it as a home.

147. An earnest desire for greater freedom had for some years shown itself in the people; but Stuyvesant, accustomed to strict military discipline, would make no concessions. The principles of liberty continued to spread; and at last a general assembly of deputies from the Dutch villages was held for the purpose of asserting the rights of the people. Little was then gained, but the spirit displayed was not to be mistaken.

148. The English had long coveted the flourishing settlement on Manhattan Island; and in 1664, Charles II., who cared little for the rights of others, granted the whole tract from the Connecticut to the Delaware to his brother James, Duke of York, afterwards James II. A powerful fleet was fitted out to take possession of the Dutch settlements. Stuyvesant, however, was too old a soldier to be frightened; and had he been supported by the people, he would have made a brave and perhaps successful defence. But the colonists remembered how their recent appeals had been met; and, thinking they would enjoy greater freedom and happiness under English rule, they turned a deaf ear to Stuyvesant's stirring appeals, and refused to fight. Thus left without means of resistance, the brave old governor had to surrender, and all the possessions of the Dutch passed without bloodshed into the hands of the English (1664). The inhabitants were not disturbed, and even Stuyvesant himself passed the rest of his days under the sway of the conquerors. The name of the colony, as well as that of the settlement on

In 1655, what did-Stuyvesant do? What happened during his absence? By whom was the colony sought as a home? 147. What spirit began to manifest itself in the people? How was it met by Stuyvesant? What was finally done by the Dutch villages? 148. How had the English felt towards the Dutch settlement on Manhattan? In 1664, what grant was made by Charles II.? What steps were immediately taken ? How did Stuyvesant endeavor to meet them? How were his efforts frustrated? What

1664]

FOUNDING OF NEW JERSEY.

99

Manhattan, was now changed to NEW YORK, in honor of the duke to whom it had been granted. The valley of the Hudson quietly submitted; and Fort Orange was named Albany, to commemorate the duke's Scottish title. All the Atlantic coast, from Maine to Georgia inclusive, was now in possession of the English.

149. The region between the Hudson and the Delaware was made over by the Duke of York to Berkeley, who had been governor of the Isle of Jersey, and gave the name of NEW JERSEY to the tract thus received. With the view of attracting settlers, freedom of worship was guarantied, and the right of taxation was confined to a colonial Assembly. In consequence of these advantages, New Jersey became rapidly peopled.

CHAPTER XI.

VIRGINIA FROM 1620 TO 1660.

150. SLAVERY commenced in the new world with Spanish discoveries and conquests. In 1495, Columbus sent 500 Indians to Spain, where they were publicly sold. In 1501, negro slavery was recognized by law in the Spanish colonies, and introduced on a large scale into the West Indies, where the natives were rapidly perishing under the tasks imposed by their conquerors. Sir John Hawkins, an English adventurer, engaged in the traffic, and Queen Elizabeth shared in the profits. Negro slaves were first brought to Virginia in a Dutch man-of-war. They were soon after introduced into all the other colonies. The price of a negro in New Amsterdam ranged between $125 and $150.

was the consequence? How did the English treat the Dutch? What change was made in the names of New Netherlands, New Amsterdam, and Fort Orange? 149. To whom was the tract between the Hudson and the Delaware made over? What name was given to it, and from what circumstance? How was it sought to attract settlers? What was the result?

150. When did slavery commence in the new world? By whom and when were Indian slaves introduced in Spain? When and why were negroes introduced as slaves in the West Indies? What Englishman engaged in the traffic? How were negro slaves first brought to Virginia? At what price were they sold in New Amsterdam?

15 151. In 1622, the white population of Virginia amounted to about 4,000. English settlements had been planted on both sides of the James River for nearly 150 miles, and all fear of the Indians was laid aside. Powhatan was dead, and his younger brother Opechancanough [op-e-can'-ca-no] had succeeded to his power. The new chief was far from sharing his brother's friendly feelings towards the whites; and, jealous of their increasing strength, he planned a general rising among the Red Men. The various settlements were attacked at the same time, and 347 of the colonists were massacred within a single hour. The rest were saved by the warning of a friendly native.

War followed. The Indians were driven back from the river, and killed in great numbers. Yet the colony suffered much from the unexpected blow. Sickness set in; many of the settlers returned to Europe; and in 1624 there were only 1,800 souls in the colony of Virginia.

152. Meanwhile, King James, offended by some plainspoken members of the London company, sent over commissioners, who tried to frighten the colonists into surrendering their charter. In this they did not succeed; whereupon, with the aid of corrupt judges, the king dissolved the company.

153. In 1625, James I. was succeeded by his son Charles I. This king confirmed the privileges already granted, and recognized the authority of the Assembly, in the hope that they would consign to him all the tobacco raised in the colony and thus give him a monopoly of the article. But the Assembly, while it was glad to have its rights confirmed, declined the king's proposals. Various salutary laws were passed about this time. Profanity and drunkenness were prohibited; military exercises were required; emigration without the governor's permission was forbidden; and a cer

151. What was the population of Virginia in 1622? How far had the English settlements extended? Who was now chief of the Powhatans? How did he feel towards the whites? What was done by his direction? How many of the colonists were massacred? What was the result of the war that followed? In 1624, how many colonists did Virginia contain? 152. What was the fate of the London company, and what led to it? 158. In 1625, who became king of England? What led him at first to favor the

1641]

BERKELEY'S ADMINISTRATION:

101

tain part of the soil was set apart for the cultivation of corn. The Puritans were invited from the less genial climate of the North, and some accepted the invitation.

154. Sir William Berkeley became governor in 1641, and the colony continued to flourish. During the struggle between the Parliament and Charles I., which resulted in the execution of the latter, Virginia adhered to the king, and, to show its loyalty, banished those who would not use the liturgy of the English Church.

In 1644, another Indian war ravaged the frontier. At last Opechancanough, the untiring enemy of the colonists, was made prisoner, and the power of the Powhatans was destroyed. The old chief died from a wound cruelly inflicted after his capture. The Indians obtained peace only by the surrender of large tracts of land.

155. The Parliament and Cromwell, everywhere triumphant, sent over a strong force to Virginia in 1652, to establish their authority. The colonists agreed to recognize it on condition of not being disturbed. Still they sympathized with the royal party, and, on the restoration of Charles II. to his father's throne, gladly acknowledged him as their king. Gratitude, however, had no place in the nature of Charles; and, when he was firmly seated on the throne, he rewarded his faithful subjects in Virginia by encroaching on their rights and giving his profligate favorites large tracts of their choicest land.

Assembly? How did the Assembly meet his advances? What laws were passed about this time? What invitation was given and accepted? 154. Whe became governor in 1641? What side did Virginia take in the struggle between Charles I. and his Parliament? What took place in 1644? How was this war terminated? What became of the Powhatan chief? 155. How were the Virginians compelled to recognize the authority of Cromwell? What were their feelings on the subject? On Charles Second's restoration, what did they do? How did Charles reward the Virginians for their fidelity?