Peter Stuyvesant, the Last Dutch Governor of New Amsterdam. John S. C. Abbott

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СКАЧАТЬ approached from the shores of the bay which was many leagues in extent, one of which canoes seemed to be filled with warriors, thoroughly armed. The other was a trading boat.

      It is probable that those in the war canoe, came as a protection for their companions. It is hardly conceivable that the Indians, naturally timid and wary, could have thought, with a single war canoe containing scarcely a dozen men, armed with arrows, to attack the formidable vessel of Sir Henry Hudson, armed, as they well knew it to be, with the terrible energies of thunder and lightning.

      The Indians were so unsuspicious of danger, that two of them unhesitatingly came on board. Sir Henry, we must think treacherously, seized them as prisoners, and ordered the canoes containing their companions, to keep at a distance. Soon another canoe came, from another direction, with only two men in it. Sir Henry received them both on board, and seized them also as prisoners. He intended to hold them as hostages, that he might thus protect himself from any hostility on the part of the natives.

      One of these men upon finding himself a captive, leaped overboard and swam ashore. Sir Henry had now three prisoners and he guarded them very closely. Yet the natives, either from policy or from fear, made no hostile demonstrations against him.

      The half Moon remained in the outer bay nine days. Several exploring tours had been sent out, visiting what is now known as the Jersey shore. None of these, with the exception of the one to which we have alluded, encountered any hostility whatever from the natives.

      On the 11th of September, Hudson sailed through the Narrows, and anchored in the still and silent waters of New York harbor. These waters had never then been whitened by a sail, or ploughed by any craft larger than the Indian's birch canoe. The next morning, the 12th of September, Sir Henry again spread his sails, and commenced his memorable voyage up the solitary river, which has subsequently borne his name. Only here and there could a few wigwams be seen, scattered through the forest, which fringed its banks. But human life was there, then as now, with the joys of the bridal and the grief of the burial. When we contemplate the million of people, now crowded around the mouth of the Hudson, convulsively struggling in all the stern conflicts of this tumultuous life, it may be doubted whether there were not as much real happiness in the wigwam of the Indian as is now to be found in the gorgeous palace of the modern millionaire. And when we contemplate the vices and the crimes which civilization has developed, it may also be doubted whether, there were not as much virtue, comparatively with the numbers to be found, within the bark hut of the red man, as is now to be found in the abodes of the more boastful white man.

      Sir Henry Hudson hoped to find this majestic river, inviting him into unknown regions of the north, to be an arm of the sea through which he could cross the continent to the shores of the Pacific. It was not then known whether this continent were a few miles or thousands of miles in breadth. For the first two days the wind was contrary, and the Half Moon ascended the river but about two miles. The still friendly natives paddled out from the shores, in their bark canoes in great numbers, coming on board entirely unarmed and offering for sale, excellent oysters and vegetables in great abundance.

      On the third day a strong breeze sprang up from the southeast. All sail was set upon the Half Moon. It was a bright and beautiful autumnal day. Through enchanting scenery the little vessel ploughed the waves of the unknown river, till, having accomplished forty miles, just at sunset they dropped their anchor in the still waters which are surrounded by the grand and gloomy cliffs of the Highlands.

      The next morning, the river and its shores, were enveloped in a dense fog, so that one could see but a few yards before him. Taking advantage of this, the Indian captives, whom Sir Henry Hudson had so treacherously ensnared, leaped out of one of the port-holes, and swam ashore. As soon as they reached the land, they raised loud shouts of hatred and defiance.

      The sun soon dispelled the fog, and the voyage was continued, and by night the Half Moon reached a point supposed to be near the present site of Catskill Landing. The natives were numerous, and very friendly. They came freely on board, apparently unsuspicious of danger. It was noticeable that there were many very aged men among them. The river seemed full of fishes, and with their hooks they took large numbers. The next day the Indians came on board in crowds, bringing pumpkins and tobacco. The vessel's boats were sent on shore to procure fresh water.

      Early the ensuing morning, they pushed up the river five miles, to a point probably near the present city of Hudson.

      Sir Henry Hudson does not appear to advantage in the account transmitted to us of this exploration. Mr. Sparks, in his American Biography, gives the following extraordinary account of one of his procedures.

      "It is evident that great distrust was entertained by Hudson

       and his men towards the natives. He now determined to

       ascertain, by intoxicating some of the chiefs, and thus

       throwing them off their guard, whether they were plotting

       any treachery. He accordingly invited several of them into

       the cabin, and gave them plenty of brandy to drink. One of

       these men had his wife with him, who, the Journal informs

       us, 'sate so modestly as any of our countrywomen would do in

       a strange place.' But the men had less delicacy and were

       soon quite merry with the brandy.

       "One of them, who had been on board from the first arrival

       of the ship, was completely intoxicated, and fell sound

       asleep, to the great astonishment of his companions, who

       probably feared that he had been poisoned; for they all took

       to their canoes and made for the shore, leaving their

       unlucky comrade on board. Their anxiety for his welfare soon

       induced them to return; and they brought a quantity of

       beads, which they gave him, perhaps to enable him to

       purchase his freedom from the spell which had been laid upon

       him.

       "The poor savage slept quietly all night, and when his

       friends came to visit him the next morning they found him

       quite well. This restored their confidence, so that they

       came to the ship again in crowds, in the afternoon, bringing

       various presents for Hudson. Their visit which was one of

       unusual ceremony is thus described in the Journal:

       "'So at three of the clock in the afternoon, they came

       aboard and brought tobacco and more beads, and gave them to

       our master, and made an oration and showed him all the

       country round about. Then they sent one of their company on

       land, who presently returned; and brought a great platter

       full of venison, dressed by themselves, and they caused him

       to eat with them. Then they made him reverence and departed,

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