p, in which Van Twiller,
in respectful terms, urged him to defer his claim to Connecticut until
the king of England and the States-General of Holland should agree
about their limits, so that the colonists of both nations, might live
"as good neighbors in these heathenish countries." Director Van
Twiller added, with good sense, which does him much credit:

"I have, in the name of the States-General and the West
India Company, taken possession of the forementioned river,
and, for testimony thereof, have set up an house on the
north side of the said river. It is not the intent of the
States to take the land from the poor natives, but rather to
take it at some reasonable price, which, God be praised, we
have done hitherto. In this part of the world there are many
heathen lands which are destitute of inhabitants, so that
there need not be any question respecting a little part or
portion thereof."

At the same time the Plymouth colony made a move to obtain a foothold
upon the Connecticut. To secure the color of a title, the colony
purchased of a company of Indians who had been driven from their homes
by the all-victorious Pequods, a tract of land just above fort Hope,
embracing the territory where the town of Windsor now stands.
Lieutenant Holmes was then dispatched with a chosen company, in a
vessel which conveyed the frame of a small house carefully stowed
away, and which could be very expeditiously put together. He was
directed to push directly by fort Hope, and raise and fortify his
house upon the purchased lands. Governor Bradford, of Plymouth, gives
the following quaint account of this adventure:

"When they came up the river the Dutch demanded what they
intended, and whither they would go? They answered, 'up the
river to trade.' Now their order was to go and seat above
them. They bid them strike and stay or they would shoot
them, and stood by their ordnance ready fitted. They
answered, they had commission from the Governor of Plymouth
to go up the river to such a place, and if they did shoot
they must obey their order and proceed; they would not
molest them but go on. So they passed along. And though the
Dutch threatened them hard yet they shot not. Coming to
their place they clapped up their house quickly, and landed
their provisions, and left the company appointed, and sent
the bark home, and afterw