History of Montgomery and Fulton Counties, N. y: With Illustrations Descriptive of Scenery, Private Residences, Public Buildings, Fine Blocks, and Imp

Excerpt from History of Montgomery and Fulton Counties, N. Y: With Illustrations Descriptive of Scenery, Private Residences, Public Buildings, Fine Blocks, and Important Manufactories, From Original Sketches by Artists of the Highest Ability, and Portraits of Old Pioneers and Prominent Residents

The accounts given by Hudson of his discoveries stimulated the Dutch to avail themselves of the advantages that might be gained by trading with the Indians, and accordingly in the following year another vessel was sent out to engage in the fur trade on the banks of the river he had discovered.

In 1612 two more vessels were fitted out by Hendrick Christiansen and Adrian Block, which were soon followed by others. The fur trade proving successful, Christiansen was appointed agent of the traffic, and Manhattan Island made the chief depm. He erected a small fort and a few rude buildings at the southern extremity of the island. Calling the place New Amsterdam. The island was covered with giant forest trees and dense thickets, which served as hiding places for reptiles and wild beasts. In r6ta the States General granted a charter to the merchants engaged in these expeditions. Conferring the exclusive right of trade in this new terri tory between the 4oth and asth parallels of north latitude for four years, and giving the name of New Netherlands to the whole region. The trade flourished, and had become so profitable, that at the expiration of the charter the States General refused to renew it, giving instead a special license for its temporary continuance.

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