he
Islands,(4) or to the Netherlands; but an unfavorable answer was always
given him, and he was threatened with this and that; finally it resulted
in permission to leave, provided he gave a promise under his hand, that
he would not in any place in which he should come, speak or complain
of what had befallen him here in New Netherland under Director Kieft or
Stuyvesant. This the man himself declares. Mr. Dincklagen and Captain
Loper,(5) who then had seats in the council, also say that this is
true. One wonders, if the Directors act rightly according to their own
consciences, what they wished to do with such certificates, and others
like them, which were secretly obtained. The Honorable Director began
also at the first to argue very stoutly against the contraband trade, as
was indeed very laudable, provided the object was to regulate the matter
and to keep the law enforced; yet this trade, forbidden to others, he
himself wished to carry on; but to this the people were not willing to
consent. His Honor said, and openly asserted, that he was allowed, on
behalf of the Company, to sell powder, lead and guns to the Indians, but
no one else could do so, and that he wished to carry their resolution
into execution. What the resolution of the Company amounts to, is
unknown to us,(6) but what relates to the act is notorious to every
inhabitant; as the Director has by his servants openly carried on the
trade with the Indians, and has taken guns from free men who had brought
with them one or two for their own use and amusement, paying for them
according to his own pleasure, and selling them to the Indians. But this
way of proceeding could amount to nothing, and made little progress.
Another plan was necessary, and therefore a merchant, Gerrit Vastrick,
received orders to bring with him one case of guns which is known of,
for the purpose, as it was said, of supplying the Indians sparingly.
They set about with this case of guns so openly, that there was not a
man on the Manathans but knew it; and it was work enough to quiet the
people. Everybody made his own comment; and, as it was observed that the
ship was not inspected as others had been before, it was presumed
that there were many more guns, besides powder and lead, in it for
the Governor; but as the first did not succeed, silence was therefore
observed in regard to the rest; and it might have passed unnoticed, had
not every one perceived what a great door for abuse and opportunity