ALBANY.

HISTORICAL REMINISCENCES.

66

them were the ancestors of the Van Schelluyne, Quackenboss, Lansing, Bleeker, Van Ness, Pruyn, Van Woert, Wendell, Van Eps, and Van Rensselaer ALBANY, was thus named, in the year 1654, in families. It does not appear that any stone or brick honour of James, Duke of York and Albany, who building was erected here (the fort excepted) until afterward ascended the throne of England, as James the year 1647, when according to a letter from II. Its original Indian name was Scho-negh-ta-da, "Commissary De la Montagnie" to the Dutch govsignifying the end of the pine woods;" and this ernour at New Amsterdam [New York], a stone name, for the same reason, was applied by the building was erected near the fort, and he complains aborigines to the site of the city of Schenectady, of "the enormous libations" poured out upon the where it is yet retained with a slight variation in occasion of celebrating its completion; no less," the orthography. The Dutch named Albany, he says, "than eight ankers of brandy were con"Beaverwyck," and afterward "Willemstadt." It sumed."* No doubt the whole garrison partook of was never known as Fort Orange or Urania, as has the festivity. It is believed that the stone building been asserted; but the fort only was called Fort recently taken down, and which stood at the corner Orange. By some, this place was named in derision, south of the theatre in South-Pearl street, was the "De Fouck" or The Net, in allusion to the supposed stone house alluded to by De la Montagnie. About grasping or catching properties of its inhabitants, in ninety-six years ago, Albany was protected against the accumulation of wealth. The shores of Albany sudden irruptions from the Indians, by the erection never knew the footsteps of a white man till the of Palisades,† (sometimes, though improperly, called month of September, in the year 1610, when Stockades or Stockadoes,) part of the remains of Hendrick Chrystyance, who was sent up the river which were visible within the last thirty years. by Henry Hudson, to reconnoitre, or explore the Barrack, now Chapel street, was the principal place country, first landed here, and as far as can be for business. Here the Indians congregated with learned from tradition and some documentary evi- their furs, and here the Dutch attended "with their dence, somewhere in the vicinity of the present guilders, their blankets, brandy, powder and shot." North Market. In that or the succeeding year, a Although we cannot vouch for the truth of Dr. party of the Dutch built a block-house on the north Franklin's anecdote, that in those early days, a point of Marte Gerritse's or Boyd's island, a short Dutchman's hand, placed in one scale against a distance below the Albany ferry. This house was quantity of fur in the other, was computed at one erected for a twofold purpose, first to open a trade with pound, and his foot at two, yet doubtless many frauds the Indians in furs, and next to secure themselves were practised upon the natives in their intercourse against any sudden attack from the savages. But it and trade with the Dutch. The government of the was soon demolished, for the next spring's freshet city was extremely rigid, and oftentimes cruel. It and ice swept the whole of it away. This party bore the character more of a military despotism, then chose a hill subsequently called Kiddenhoogh-than that of an internal or civil police-heavy ten,* within two miles of Albany, for the erection penalties were imposed for the least infraction of of another trading-house. The Indians called this the laws for regulating trade with the Indians, and hill Ta-wass-a-gun-shee or the Lookout Hill. Not many families consequently ruined. This severity long afterward, however, this post was abandoned, drove some of the "traders" to the Schenectady and a more convenient one selected. The spot thus flats, where they intercepted a considerable portion chosen was in the vicinity of the house now called of the fur on its way to Albany, and which occa"Fort Orange Hotel," in South-Market street. The sioned for many years the most bitter animositics Dutch there erected a fort, "mounting eight stone-between the inhabitants of the two places. The pieces," and called it "Fort Orange." circulating medium, or currency, then principally in

The amusements of the Dutch were chiefly sleighriding, Pinxter and Paas holidays and wedding festivities called "Maughet de Bruyt." To these may be added, strange as it may seem, funeral festivities. Pinxter was celebrated during the whitsuntide holydays, and usually continued three or four days, during which booths or tents were erected for furnishing refreshments, &c., and the dance called "the totaw," was a great favourite among the inhabitants. The dance was performed by the Blacks of both

Till after the year 1625, the Dutch did not con-use, was seawant.‡ template making any permanent settlements in this state. They merely visited the country in the autumn and winter, with a view to the fur-trade with the Indians, returning in the spring to Holland or "Vader-landt." But in that year, the Dutch West India Company first entertained the idea of colonizing their newly discovered territories in America; and accordingly offered large appropriations of land to such families as should "settle" in their colony of New Netherlands. This soon brought many over, and from that period till 1635, several of our most respectable Dutch families arrived. Among

* Kiddenhooghten, or Kidd's heights or hill, received that name about the year 1701, and according to tradition, in memory of the pirate Kidd so celebrated "in song and story," who it was supposed concealed much of his ill-gotten treasure in its vicinity. It is however doubted whether Kidd ascended the Hudson river as far as Albany.

+ According to Mr. Vander Kempt, the translator of our Dutch Records, they were called "stien-gestucken," or stone pieces, because they were loaded with stone instead of iron ball. They were formed of large and strong iron bars, longitudinally laid, and bound with iron hoops, and were of immense caliber.

*An anker contains 16 gallons. At this period, gin is not named as being in use; nor until the year 1652, does it appear to have been introduced here among the Dutch.

+ These palisades consisted of large pieces of timber in close contact with each other, driven endwise into the ground, and gates or openings were made at suitable intervals, which were closed at night. One was called "The North Gate," and that name, till recently, was applied to that part of our city now called "the fifth ward." These palisades surrounded but a small part of the city.

Seawant was formed of the oyster or clam-shell, and was either of a blue or purple colour, or white. The former was the most valuable, being usually worth five times more than the white.

sexes, and somewhat resembled the Spanish Fan- Communipaw where they came from." But these dango. This holyday has fallen into disuse within weak and wicked persecutions did not long continue. only the last fifteen or twenty years, but many of the A stop was put to them as soon as the Dutch West inhabitants still remember our celebrated " King India Company in Holland were apprized of these Charles," who, with his red uniform, black, shining proceedings, and the Jews, Quakers and Lutherans face, tall figure, and commanding attitude, made this enjoyed for a season repose from their persecutors. his gala-day, and attracted universal attention. Paas, Nay, so liberal and enlightened had the governour or the Easter holydays, was celebrated by the break- and council become, from the merited rebuke given ing, or (as the Dutch phrase was) "butsing" of eggs, them by the Dutch West India Company, that even boiled and coloured in a decoction of logwood; the Jews, the most odious of all these sects, were and "Maughet de bruyt, ghoe cookies oaut," was the admitted to the rights of “small citizenship.” "* Minclamorous and reiterated cry of an assemblage of isters of the Reformed religion were regularly sent men and boys in the evening, about the door of from Holland to the Colony. In April, 1657, the the house where a wedding had been solemnized, Rev. Gideon Schaats set sail from Amsterdam for and wo betide the windows, if the happy bridegroom this colony, and about the same period the Dutch did not cause cakes and apples to be distributed in West India Company wrote a letter, stating that great abundance among the crowd. The funeral they would soon send a bell and a pulpit "for the ceremonies were very expensive, and usually attended by hundreds. Spiced wines, and "doode cook," (or dead-cake) were plentifully used, and pipes and tobacco were added to these refreshments, till clouds of smoke involved the whole company in almost Cimmerian darkness.

inhabitants of Fort Orange, and of the village of Beaverwyck,† for their newly constructed little church." This church stood on the site of the old Dutch church near the foot of State street. In this "little church, divine service continued till the larger one was built and enclosed it, and this larger Although the Dutch of Beaverwyck had been church was demolished some years since. It was proverbially charged with an inordinate love of gain, a venerable pile of bygone days, and the march of yet their records demonstrate that they were not improvement has seldom overturned a nobler strucindifferent to the more important matters of religion. ture. Not a few of our Dutch inhabitants mourned Attached from education and principle to the doc-over its destruction as for a lost child, and some of trines and faith of the Reformed church, and firmly believing in the unerring wisdom of the Synod of Dort, and, that, next to the Bible, that Synod had established doctrines, entitled to unqualified veneration and obedience, they held in abhorrence all who entertained different opinions from them. That they should possess this feeling most intensely against the Roman Catholicks was not indeed wonderful.

the painted or burnt glass of its Gothick windows, with other relicks of its existence, are still preserved and cherished by many of our Dutch families with religious affection and veneration.

The government of Beaverwyck was in the hands of three or more "commissaries," appointed by the governour and council, and they held their offices usually for one year. Their powers and duties are The wars between Holland and Spain were yet not so easily defined. They acted as a court of fresh in their recollection, and the cruelties and justice with very ample and discretionary powers, oppressions which their ancestors had experienced both civil and criminal, subject to an appeal to the in those contests, rankled in their bosoms, and made governour and council. They also exercised legisthem cling the closer to the religion of their fathers. lative powers over the village, similar in some degree But at that early period there were none, or but few to the powers now exercised in this state by trusRoman Catholicks in the Colony, against whom they tees of villages, or by corporations of cities. It is could direct their resentments. Yet, of Jews, difficult to determine the limits of their powers beQuakers, and Lutherans, (and they were all con-yond what has been mentioned, unless we should sidered by the Dutch as Dissenters, or rather here- add that whatever seemed "good in their eyes," they ticks,) there was a considerable number, particularly in New Amsterdam, [New York] for we find that as early as January, 1656, the Jews were forbidden, under severe penalties, from "trading" at Beaverwyck. In 1658, the governour and council by another edict declared that "for the honour of God," the Reverend Johannis Erasmus Gottewater, a Lutheran minister, should leave the Colony. In the same year, likewise, a cruel and absurd prosecution was carried on against the Quakers on Long Island, where some of the families and connexions of the Townsends, and others had" abetted and harboured" a number of "that abominable sect," (for so they were named in the proceedings of the governour and council.) Several of them were imprisoned and banished, and a few of them having appeared before the governour "with their heads covered," the sheriff was ordered "to take them immediately to

* We have not at present a Dutch dictionary at hand, to give a translation of these words. We believe they signify, "Happy bride, throw out cakes."

were allowed to do, or cause to be done, and when difficulties or opposition occurred in the execution of their edicts, they had only to call on the garrison of Fort Orange to enforce them. One thing is certain, these commissaries were authorized, or did at least undertake to give or refuse permission to any one they thought proper to build houses, carry on trade, buy or sell, to make or establish manufactories, stores, shops, taverns, beer-houses," &c. In short, their power appears to have been despotick and unlimited. The fines, forfeitures, duties, and taxes, which were imposed in Beaverwyck, were very heavy. In the month of June, 1647, Jan La

* Rather "Lesser or inferiour citizenship," which conferred the right of holding and transferring property, but not of trading without special license. "Great citizenship" conferred every political and civil right.

+ Beaverwyck (one of the names of the city of Albany under the Dutch) is synonymous with Beaver-town or borough. "Wyck" is equivalent to the English word burgh or borough, as Peterborough, Williamsburgh, &c., or, as the Dutch have it, Willwyck, Beaverwyck, &c.

Battie, who probably, judging from his name, was a should be given in its very terms. It is in these Frenchman, (for many of the Huguenots had sought words, "all persons are hereby notified that hencean asylum here,) applied for permission "to build a forth until further orders, one very Monday, two yachts brewery" in this city, and it was granted him "on or barges may start from here [New York] to Fort his paying yearly six beavers." Now this could not Orange, with privilege to take together, or one by have been less than a duty of from sixty to eighty one, not more than six passengers who shall receive dollars, and perhaps one hundred dollars by the due certificates for the purpose, and the skippers year! The revenues arising from the sale of beer and passengers may pursue their journey having such in this city were enormous, considering the paucity passports, and which shall be given them by the of its inhabitants. The duties were usually farmed honourable Arent Van Hattem and Willem Beekout, or sold at auction, and during this year and for man, at the office of Jan de Yonge on Saturday several years afterward the duties on beer in Bea- morning, at eight o'clock, precisely." It bears date verwyck exceeded eight hundred dollars-a pretty New Amsterdam, August 7, 1653, and is signed strong evidence that the Dutch were, as Mr. Vander-"Arent Van Hattem, P. L. Vandergrist, Willem kemp called them, "famous beer-drinkers." It Beekman, Johannis Willem Van Bruggen." Genius cannot be clearly ascertained whether this beverage of Clinton and of Fulton! what would ye say if was extracted from barley or wheat, but we incline to think it was the latter, as but little barley was then cultivated in the Colony. The laws against Sabbath-breaking imposed very heavy fines on offenders, and many cases are on record in which the mulcted culprits prayed in vain for mercy. Still, there was a kind of relaxation indulged which must somewhat move our risible muscles. Thus one regulation declared "that no beer should be bought, drank, or sold on Sunday, after the bell had tolled for church," impliedly allowing it before. But of all the objects to which the Dutch extended their protecting and jealous care, that of the fur-trade with the Indians claimed the greatest, and was almost the all-absorbing subject of their edicts and proclamations. The Indians, as has been stated, usually obtained blankets, gun powder, guns, ball, &c., in exchange for their furs, and consequently the Dutch West India Company attempted to monopolize the entire trade in blankets, powder, &c. Any invasion of this right was severely punished. By an ordinance or law passed in the year 1639, it was declared that "if any one without previous license should sell any gun-powder, &c. to the Indians, he should suffer death, and the informer under this law was entitled to a reward of fifty guilders." The laws of Draco have scarce a parallel to this, nor, can it be justified on the ground that the Colony would otherwise have been in danger from Indians having arms and munitions of war in their hands, and that, therefore, great caution and severity were absolutely necessary for their safety. No, the Indians on the west bank of the Hudson were friendly and pacifick, and the Dutch in Beaverwyck traded with none other. The law, whatever might have been the pretext, was clearly dictated by the love of gain-the spirit of monopoly. Of the same character, and to prevent strangers from travelling in the interiour without the knowledge of the magistrates, was a regulation or "placard" adopted in 1653, and with some modifications continued for several years after. This "placard" (which word, according to Dr. Johnson, is derived from the Dutch and French, and signifies "edict, declaration, manifesto,") is so remarkable, that we think a part of it

Mr. Vanderkemp, our Dutch translator, estimates a guilder at three shillings and four pence currency, or forty-one cents six mills and six tenths of a mill. The author of these reminiscences entertains some doubt of the accuracy of this computation, or he suspects there were two different kinds of guilders. Our Dutch inhabitants called an "eighteen penny piece," [or pistarcen] "drie guilders," or three guilders, which would make the guilder equivalent to only six pence currency.

you could have beheld this puny attempt of our Mynheers not more than one hundred and eighty years since, to stop the progress of navigation, the march of human intellect, the development of our moral and physical energies, and the increase of our trade, commerce, and manufactures! And could Governour Stuyvesant and his contemporaries now arise and witness the great improvements of the present age in all these and many other respects, would not their tobacco-pipes drop from their lips, and would they not like Rip Van Winkle be astounded at the wonderful changes which they beheld! But raillery apart, our good-burghers of Beaverwyck were not disposed tamely to submit to this infringement of their privileges. On receiving the first intelligence of this edict, they seized and dismantled the vessel which brought it, and attempted to Lynch (to use a modern phrase) the commander of it, but who fortunately escaped the severe drubbing intended for him. The commissaries of Beaverwyck were alarmed, the soldiers from the fort were called to their aid, and after a smart skirmish order was restored, the vessel recaptured and sent back to New York. Governour Stuyvesant summoned his council and declared that "if ever the Beaverwyckers should repeat this offence, he would put them out of his protection, and they should never have another dominie [minister], sloop or soldier from him." (To be deprived of the last would have been no great matter of regret to the Beaverwyckers.)

Fort Orange at this time was in a tolerable state of repair. The garrison consisted of forty soldiers, and occasionally was increased to sixty or even one hundred, as Stuyvesant thought the exigences of the times required.

According to the records, "an elegant large house with a balustrade," had been built by Dirck Cornelise of Wesel, within the precincts of the fort, and also, "eight small dwelling-houses for the people of the fort." But one can hardly refrain from smiling, when he reads the complaint made in the year 1639, by the commander of the fort to Governour Stuyvesant, stating, " that the fort was in a miserable state of decay, and that the hogs had destroyed a part of it." The proceedings of our Dutch courts at Beaverwyck even in civil suits, evince more of the spirit of litigation than is compatible with the morals of an enlightened people, and those in criminal cases, and for violations of ordinances, furnish the same melancholy evidence. The fines imposed were generally distributed in the sentence, in this way, one third to the church, one third to the publick,

the ship left Madagascar; the body of the former that here the authority seemed respectable, there was properly injected, and prepared by Mr. Baudin, was no inducement to impose, the information came and that of the latter preserved in spirits. These spontaneously, nor was there any theory to support; preparations, with other curious subjects of natural history, were sent to my informant by his brother, and, as a place of greater safety, he deposited the collection at Mr. Ekard's house in St. Thomas. This narrative recalled to my memory some account I had read in the Critical Review, 1792, of the Abbi Rochon's voyage to Madagascar, in which a nation of pigmies is mentioned, as actually existing in that island but to ascertain the point, I visited St. Thomas, in November, 1796, when I found unfortunately that Mr. Baudin had gone to North America; but his friend, Mr. Fletcher, furnished me with the means of gratifying my curiosity. I was very particular in my measurement, in which the late Mr. John Ryan, of St. Croix, an excellent naturalist, assisted me, and found the dimensions as follows:The whole length, thirty-two inches; circumference of the scull, eighteen and a half inches; from the coronal suture to the chin, six and a half inches; nasal bones, one and one fourth inches; length of chest, six and one fourth inches; of abdomen, seven inches; femur, six and a half inches; tibia, six and a half inches; foot, four and three eighths inches; humerus, five and a half inches; fore-arm five inches; hand, to extremity of the index, three and three eighths inches; teeth, dentes canini, two; incisores, four; molares, only four visible in each jaw, all fully formed, and beyond doubt adult. The preparation of the child measured one foot in length. I forbear to make any remarks, further than to say,

it appeared, in truth, a mere matter of fact, related by the brother of the person who had resided among the Kimoes, and in whose possession specimens were preserved, which specimens I actually examined. Compare this with the account which M. Rochon has given, and principally from the information of M. De Modavi, the governour of Fort Dauphine, in 1769. This officer fully ascertained the existence of the Kimoes as a nation, by sending detachments into the country for that purpose. He concludes with this remarkable observation, that it is certainly nothing wonderful to meet with dwarfs in a country so vast and extensive as Madagascar, the surface of which contains various climates, and abounds with a multitude of different productions; but a real race of pigmies living in society, is a phenomenon that cannot well be passed over in silence.' As M. Baudin returned to New York, you may probably have heard of, or have known him, and where he at present resides; in either case, you may be enabled to obtain access to further and more circumstantial information on a point of physiology extremely useful and interesting. I am aware that in the only other account of Madagascar we have of modern date, viz., Drury's narrative, no mention is made of the Kimoes; and yet Flacient mentions them, although he disbelieves their existence. Flacient and Modavi were men in authority, governours of French settlements; Drury, a prisoner, and extremely ignorant."

THE SABLE-HUNTERS.

[Sable-hunting.]

tains; its capture, during winter, and in the midst HARD is the lot of the sable-hunter; doomed by of eternal snow, is the most painful of human the edict of an unfeeling tyrant to chase that beau- labours. In former times, the hunting of these anitiful animal, the sable (M. zibellina), so much cele-mals was a task imposed on Siberian exiles; but as brated for the rich furs in which he is wrapped, and that country became populous, the sables gradually so admirably adapted to the cold regions of the far- retired into more lonely forests, and still higher thest North. The sable inhabits high frozen moun-I mountains: yet even there, the unhappy exiles are