vessel! This huge monster being with infinite labour | Stoffel Brinkerhoff, who whilom had acquired such hoisted on board, furnished a luxurious repast to all immortal fame at Oyster Bay-they displayed as a the crew, being accounted of excellent flavour, ex- standard, a beaver rampant on a field of orange; cepting about the wound, where it smacked a little being the arms of the province, and denoting the of brimstone-and this, on my veracity, was the first persevering industry and the amphibious origin of time that ever sturgeon was eaten in these parts by the Nederlanders.* Christian people.*

When this astonishing miracle came to be made known to Peter Stuyvesant, and that he tasted of the unknown fish, he, as may well be supposed, marvelled cxceedingly; and as a monument thereof, he gave the name of Antony's Nose to a stout promontory in the neighbourhood-and it has continued to be called Antony's Nose ever since that time.

But hold-Whither am I wandering ?-By the mass, if I attempt to accompany the good Peter Stuyvesant on this voyage, I shall never make an end, for never was there a voyage so fraught with marvellous incidents, nor a river so abounding with transcendent beauties, worthy of being severally recorded. Even now I have it on the point of my pen to relate, how his crew were most horribly frightened, on going on shore above the Highlands, by a gang of merry, roistering devils, frisking and curveting on a huge flat rock, which projected into the river-and which is called the Duyvel's Dans-Kamer to this very day. But no! Diedrich Knickerbocker-it becomes thee not to idle thus in thy historic wayfaring. Recollect that while dwelling with the fond garrulity of age over these fairy scenes, endeared to thee by the recollections of thy youth, and the charms of a thousand legendary tales which beguiled the simple ear of thy childhood; recollect that thou art trifling with those fleeting moments which should be devoted to loftier themes.-Is not Time-relentless Time! -shaking, with palsied hand, his almost exhausted hour-glass before thee?-hasten then to pursue thy weary task, lest the last sands be run, ere thou hast finished thy history of the Manhattoes.

Let us then commit the dauntless Peter, his brave galley, and his loyal crew, to the protection of the blessed St. Nicholas; who, I have no doubt, will prosper him in his voyage, while we await his return at the great city of New-Amsterdam.

CHAPTER IV.

DESCRIBING THE POWERFUL ARMY THAT AS-
SEMBLED AT THE CITY OF NEW-AMSTERDAM
-TOGETHER WITH THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN
PETER THE HEADSTRONG AND GENERAL
VAN POFFENBurgh, and PETER'S SENTIMENTS

TOUCHING UNFORTUNATE GREAT MEN.

On their right hand might be seen the vassals of that renowned Mynheer, Michael Paw,† who lorded it over the fair regions of ancient Pavonia, and the lands away south, even unto the Navesink mountains, and was moreover patroon of Gibbet Island. His standard was borne by his trusty squire, Cornelius Van Vorst; consisting of a huge oyster recumbent upon a sea-green field; being the armoria bearings of his favourite metropolis, Communipaw He brought to the camp a stout force of warriors, heavily armed, being each clad in ten pair of linseywoolsey breeches, and overshadowed by broad-brimmed beavers, with short pipes twisted in their hatbands. These were the men who vegetated in the mud along the shores of Pavonia; being of the race of genuine copperheads, and were fabled to have sprung from oysters.

At a little distance were encamped the tribe of warriors who came from the neighbourhood of HellGate. These were commanded by the Suy Dams, and the Van Dams, incontinent hard swearers, as their names betoken-they were terrible-looking fellows, clad in broad-skirted gaberdines, of that curious coloured cloth called thunder and lightningand bore as a standard three Devil's-darning-needles, volant, in a flame-coloured field.

Hard by was the tent of the men of battle from the marshy borders of the Waale-Boghts and the country thereabouts-these were of a sour aspect by reason that they lived on crabs, which abound in these parts. They were the first institutors of that honourable order of knighthood, called Fly market shirks, and, if tradition speak true, did likewise introduce the far-famed step in dancing, called "double trouble." They were commanded by the fearless Jacobus Varra Vanger, and had moreover a jolly band of Breuckelen] ferry-men, who performed a brave concerto on conch-shells.

But I refrain from pursuing this minute description, which goes on to describe the warriors of Bloemendael, and Wee-hawk, and Hoboken, and sundry other places, well known in history and song -for now does the sound of martial music alarm the people of New-Amsterdam, sounding afar from be yond the walls of the city. But this alarm was in a little while relieved; for lo, from the midst of a vast cloud of dust, they recognised the brimstone-coloured breeches, and splendid silver leg, of Peter Stuyvesant, glaring in the sunbeams; and beheld him approaching at the head of a formidable army, which he had WHILE thus the enterprising Peter was coasting, mustered along the banks of the Hudson. And here with flowing sail, up the shores of the lordly Hudson, the excellent, but anonymous writer of the Stuyvesand arousing all the phlegmatic little Dutch settle-ant manuscript, breaks out into a brave and glorious ments upon its borders, a great and puissant con- description of the forces, as they defiled through the course of warriors was assembling at the city of NewAmsterdam. And here that invaluable fragment of antiquity, the Stuyvesant manuscript, is more than commonly particular; by which means I am enabled to record the illustrious host that encamped itself in the public square in front of the fort, at present denominated the Bowling-Green.

In the centre, then, was pitched the tent of the men of ble of the Manhattoes, who being the inmates of the metropolis, composed the life-guards of the governor. These were commanded by the valiant

The learned Hans Megapolensis, treating of the country about Albany, in a letter which was written some time after the settlement thereof, says: "There is in the river great plenty of Sturgeon, which we Christians do not make use of; but the Indians eat them greedilie."

This was likewise the great seal of the New-Netherlands, a

may still be seen in ancient records.

mention made of this illustrious Patroon in another manuscript, which says:De Heer (or the squire) Michael Paw, a Dutch subject, about 10th Aug., 1630, by deed purchased Staten Island. NB. The same Michael Paw had what the Dutch call a colonie at Pavonia, on the Jersey shore, opposite New-York, and his overseer, in 16 6, was named Corns. Van Vorst-a person of the same name in 1769 owned Powles Hook, and a large farm at Pavonia,

Besides what is related in the Stuyvesant MS., I have found

and is a lineal descendant from Van Vorst."

So called from the Navesink tribe of Indians that inhabited these parts-at present they are erroneously denominated the Neversink, or Neversunk mountains.

Since corrupted into the Wallabout; the bay where the Navy. Yard is situated.

Now spelt Brooklyn.

WORKS OF WASHINGTON IRVING.

principal gate of the city, that stood by the head of mander-in-chief of the armies of the New-Nether Wall-street.

man nature, that scarcely did the news become lands. Such is the inherent uncharitableness of hupublic of his deplorable discomfiture at Fort Casimir, than a thousand scurvy rumours were set afloat he had in reality a treacherous understanding with the Swedish commander; that he had long been in the practice of privately communicating with the Swedes; together with divers hints about "secret service money: "-to all which deadly charges I do not give a jot more credit than I think they dese! ve. acter by the most vehement oaths and protestations Certain it is, that the general vindicated his charand put every man out of the ranks of honour who dared to doubt his integrity. Moreover, on returning to New-Amsterdam, he paraded up and down the streets with a crew of hard swearers at his heelssturdy bottle companions, whom he gorged and fattened, and who were ready to bolster him through all the courts of justice-heroes of his own kidney, fierce-whiskered, broad-shouldered, colbrand-looking swaggerers-not one of whom but looked as though he could eat up an ox, and pick his teeth with the horns. These life-guard men quarrelled all this quarrels, were ready to fight all his battles, and scowled at every man that turned up his nose at the general, as though they would devour him alive. Their conversation was interspersed with oaths like minuteguns, and every bombastic rodomontado was rounded off by a thundering execration, like a patriotic toast honoured with a discharge of artillery.

First of all came the Van Bummels, who inhabit the pleasant borders of the Bronx-these were short fat men, wearing exceeding large trunk breeches, and are renowned for feats of the trencher-they in New-Amsterdam, wherein it was insinuated, that were the first inventors of suppawn or mush-andmilk.-Close in their rear marched the Van Vlotens, of Kaatskill, most horrible quaffers of new cider, and arrant braggarts in their liquor.-After them came the Van Pelts, of Groodt Esopus, dexterous horsemen, mounted upon goodly switch-tailed steeds of the Esopus breed-these were mighty hunters of minks and musk-rats, whence came the word Peltry. --Then the Van Nests, of Kinderhook, valiant robbers of birds' nests, as their name denotes; to these, if report may be believed, are we indebted for the invention of slap-jacks, or buckwheat cakes.--Then the Van Higginbottoms, of Wapping's creek; these came armed with ferules and birchen rods, being a race of schoolmasters, who first discovered the marvellous sympathy between the seat of honour and the seat of intellect, and that the shortest way to get knowledge into the head, was to hammer it into the bottomThen the Van Grolls, of Antony's Nose, who carried their liquor in fair round little pottles, by reason they could not bouse it out of their canteens, having such rare long noses.-Then the Gardeniers, of Hudson and thereabouts, distinguished by many triumphant feats, such as robbing watermelon patches, smoking rabbits out of their holes, and the like; and by being great lovers of roasted pig's tails; these were the ancestors of the renowned congressman of that name.-Then the Van Hoesens, of Sing-Sing, great choristers and players upon the jews-harp; these marched two and two, singing the great song of St. Nicholas.-Then the Couenhovens, of Sleepy Hollow; these gave birth to a jolly race of publicans, who first discovered the magic artifice of conjuring a quart of wine into a pint bottle.-Then the Van Kortlandts, who lived on the wild banks of the Croton, and were great killers of wild ducks, being much spoken of for their skill in shooting with the long bow. Then the Van Bunschotens, of Nyack and Kakiat, who were the first that did ever kick with the left foot; they were gallant bush-whackers and hunters of raccoons by moonlight.-Then the Van Winkles, of Haerlem, potent suckers of eggs, and noted for running of horses, and running up of scores at taverns; they were the first that ever winked with both eyes at once.--Lastly came the KNICKERBOCKERS, of the great town of Schaghticoke, where the folk lay stones upon the houses in windy weather, lest they should be blown away. These derive their name, as some say, from Knicker, to shake, and Beker, a goblet, indicating thereby that they were sturdy toss-pots of yore; but, in truth, it was derived from Knicker, to nod, and Bocken, books; plainly meaning that they were great nodders or dozers over books-from them did descend the writer of this history.

Such was the legion of sturdy bush-beaters that poured in at the grand gate of New-Amsterdam; the Stuyvesant manuscript indeed speaks of many more, whose names I omit to mention, seeing that it behoves me to hasten to matters of greater moment. Nothing could surpass the joy and martial pride of the lion-hearted Peter, as he reviewed this mighty host of warriors, and he determined no longer to defer the gratification of his much-wished-for revenge upon the scoundrel Swedes at Fort Casimir.

But before I hasten to record those unmatchable events, which will be found in the sequel of this faithful history, let me pause to notice the fate of Jacobus Van Poffenburgh, the discomfited com

effect in convincing certain profound sages, many of All these valorous vapourings had a considerable whom began to think the general a hero of unutterable loftiness and magnanimity of soul, particularly as he was continually protesting on the honour of a soldier-a marvellously high-sounding asseveration. Nay, one of the members of the council went so far as to propose they should immortalize him by an imperishable statue of plaster of Paris.

thus to be deceived.-Sending privately for the comBut the vigilant Peter the Headstrong was not mander-in-chief of all the armies, and having heard all his story, garnished with the customary pious oaths, protestations, and ejaculations—“Harkee, comrade," cried he, "though by your own account you are the most brave, upright, and honourable man in the whole province, yet do you lie under the misfortune of being damnably traduced, and immeasurably despised. Now, though it is certainly hard to punish a man for his misfortunes, and though it is very possible you are totally innocent of the crimes laid to your charge, yet as Heaven, at present, doubtless for some wise purpose, sees fit to withhold all proofs of your innocence, far be it from me to counteract its sovereign will. Besides, I cannot consent to venture my armies with a commander whom they despise, or to trust the welfare of my people to a champion whom they distrust. Retire, therefore, my life, with this comforting reflection-that if guilty, friend, from the irksome toils and cares of public you are but enjoying your just reward—and if innocent, you are not the first great and good man whọ has most wrongfully been slandered and maltreated in this wicked world-doubtless to be better treated in a better world, where there shall be neither error, calumny, nor persecution. In the meantime let me never see your face again, for I have a horrible antipathy to the countenances of unfortunate great men like yourself."

CHAPTER V.

A HISTORY OF NEW-YORK.

IN WHICH THE AUTHOR DISCOURSES VERY IN-
GENUOUSLY OF HIMSELF-AFTER WHICH IS TO

BE FOUND MUCH INTERESTING HISTORY ABOUT
PETER THE HEADSTRONG AND HIS FOLLOWERS.
As my readers and myself are about entering on
as many perils as ever a confederacy of meddlesome
knights-errant wilfully ran their heads into, it is meet
that, like those hardy adventurers, we should join
hands, bury all differences, and swear to stand by
one another, in weal or woe, to the end of the enter
prise. My readers must doubtless perceive how
completely I have altered my tone and deportment,
since we first set out together. I warrant they then
thought me a crabbed, cynical, impertinent little son
of a Dutchman; for I scarcely ever gave them a
civil word, nor so much as touched my beaver, when
1 had occasion to address them. But as we jogged
along together, in the high-road of my history, I
gradually began to relax, to grow more courteous,
and occasionally to enter into familiar discourse, un-
til at length I came to conceive a most social, com-
panionable, kind regard for them. This is just my
way-I am always a little cold and reserved at first,
particularly to people whom I neither know nor care
for, and am only to be completely won by long inti-
macy.

(so Heaven speed this trusty weapon which I now
hold between my fingers) triumphantly to the end of
this our stupendous undertaking.

But, hark! while we are thus talking, the city of
New-Amsterdam is in a bustle. The host of war
riors encamped in the Bowling-Green are striking
their tents; the brazen trumpet of Antony Van Cor-
lear makes the welkin to resound with portentous
clangour-the drums beat-the standards of the
Manhattoes, of Hell-Gate, and of Michael Paw,
wave proudly in the air. And now behold where
the mariners are busily employed hoisting the sails of
yon topsail schooner, and those clump-built sloops,
which are to waft the army of the Nederlanders to
The entire population of the city, man, woman,
gather immortal honours on the Delaware!
and child, turned out to behold the chivalry of New-
Many a handkerchief was waved out
Amsterdam, as it paraded the streets previous to
embarkation.
at the windows; many a fair nose was blown in
melodious sorrow, on the mournful occasion. The
grief of the fair dames and beauteous damsels of
Granada could not have been more vociferous on
the banishment of the gallant tribe of Abencer-
rages, than was that of the kind-hearted fair ones
Every love-sick maiden fondly
of New-Amsterdam on the departure of their in-
crammed the pockets of her hero with gingerbread
trepid warriors.
and doughnuts-many a copper ring was exchanged
and crooked sixpence broken, in pledge of eternal
constancy-and there remain extant to this day some
love-verses written on that occasion, sufficiently
crabbed and incomprehensible to confound the
whole universe.

But it was a moving sight to see the buxom But more especi-lasses, how they hung about the doughty Antony Fain would they have Van Corlear-for he was a jolly, rosy-faced, lusty bachelor, fond of his joke, and withal a desperate rogue among the women. kept him to comfort them while the army was away; for besides what I have said of him, it is no more than justice to add, that he was a kind-hearted soul, noted for his benevolent attentions in comforting disconsolate wives during the absence of their husbands-and this made him to be very much regarded by the honest burghers of the city. But nothing could keep the valiant Antony from following the heels of the old governor, whom he loved as he did his very soul-so, embracing all the young vrouws, and giving every one of them that had good teeth and rosy lips, a dozen hearty smacks, he departed loaded with their kind wishes.

Besides, why should I have been sociable to the crowd of how-d'ye-do acquaintances that flocked around me at my first appearance? Many were merely attracted by a new face; and having stared me full in the title-page, walked off without saying a word; while others lingered yawningly through the preface, and having gratified their short-lived curiosity, soon dropped off one by one. ally to try their mettle, I had recourse to an expedient, similar to one which we are told was used by that peerless flower of chivalry, King Arthur; who, before he admitted any knight to his intimacy, first required that he should show himself superior to danger or hardships, by encountering unheard-of mishaps, slaying some dozen giants, vanquishing wicked enchanters, not to say a word of dwarfs, hippogriffs, and fiery dragons. On a similar principle, 1 cunningly led my readers, at the first sally, into two or three knotty chapters, where they were most wofully belaboured and buffeted by a host of pagan philosophers and infidel writers. Though naturally a very grave man, yet could I scarce refrain from smiling outright at seeing the utter confusion and dismay of my valiant cavaliers-some dropped down dead (asleep) on the field; others threw down my book in the middle of the first chapter, took to their heels, and never ceased scampering until they had fairly run it out of sight; when they stopped to take breath, to tell their friends what troubles they had undergone, and to warn all others from venturing on so thankless an expedition. Every page thinned my ranks more and more; and of the vast multitude that first set out, but a comparatively few made shift to survive, in exceedingly battered condition, through the five introductory chapters.

Nor was the departure of the gallant Peter among the least causes of public distress. Though the old governor was by no means indulgent to the follies and waywardness of his subjects, yet some how or other he had become strangely popular among the people. There is something so captivating in personal bravery, that, with the common mass of mankind, it takes the lead of most other merits. The simple folk of New-Amsterdam looked upon Peter that trophy of his martial encounter, was regarded Stuyvesant as a prodigy of valour. His wooden leg, What, then! would you have had me take such with reverence and admiration. Every old burgher sunshine, faint-hearted recreants to my bosom at had a budget of miraculous stories to tell about the our first acquaintance? No-no; I reserved my exploits of Hardkopping Piet, wherewith he regaled friendship for those who deserved it, for those who his children of a long winter night; and on which undauntedly bore me company, in despite of difficul- he dwelt with as much delight and exaggeration, And now, as to those as do our honest country yeomen on the hardy adties, dangers, and fatigues. who adhere to me at present, I take them affection- ventures of old General Putnam (or as he is familWorthy and thrice-beloved iarly termed, Old Put.) during our glorious revolu ately by the hand. readers! brave and well-tried comrades! who have tion. Not an individual but verily believed the old faithfully followed my footsteps through all my wan- governor was a match for Belzebub himself; and derings-I salute you from my heart-I pledge my- there was even a story told, with great mystery, and self to stand by you to the last; and to conduct you under the rose, of his having shot the devil with a

Whether the formidable front of war thus suddenly presented, smote the garrison with sore dismay-or whether the concluding terms of the summons, which mentioned that he should surrender “at discretion were mistaken by Suen Scutz, who, though a Swede, was a very considerate, easy-tempered man—as a compliment to his discretion, I will not take upon me to say; certain it is, he found it impossible to resist so courteous a demand. Accordingly, in the very nick of time, just as the cabin-boy had gone after a coal of fire, to discharge the swivel, a chamade was beat on the rampart, by the only drum in the garA heavy gloom hung over the late bustling city.rison, to the no small satisfaction of both parties; The honest burghers smoked their pipes in profound thoughtfulness, casting many a wistful look to the weathercock, on the church of Saint Nicholas; and all the old women, having no longer the presence of Peter Stuyvesant to hearten them, gathered their children home, and barricadoed the doors and windows every evening at sun-down.

Thus did this impregnable fortress once more return to the domination of their High Mightinesses; Scutz and his garrison of twenty men were allowed to march out with the honours of war, and the vicIn the meanwhile, the armada of the sturdy Peter torious Peter, who was as generous as brave, perproceeded prosperously on its voyage, and after en-mitted them to keep possession of all their arms and countering about as many storms, and waterspouts, and whales, and other horrors and phenomena, as generally befall adventurous landsmen, in perilous voyages of the kind; and after undergoing a severe Scouring from that deplorable and unpitied malady called sea-sickness, the whole squadron arrived safely in the Delaware.

A HISTORY OF NEW-YORK.

tion of this great fortress, that he made him on the spot lord of a goodly domain in the vicinity of NewAmsterdam-which goes by the name Corlear's Hook unto this very day.

The unexampled liberality of the valiant Stuyvesant towards the Swedes occasioned great surprise in the city of New-Amsterdam-nay, certain of these factious individuals, who had been enlightened by the political meetings that prevailed during the days of William the Testy, but who had not dared to indulge their meddlesome habits, under the eye of their present ruler, now emboldened by his absence, dared even to give vent to their censures in the street. Murmurs were heard in the very council chamber of New-Amsterdam; and there is no knowing whether they would not have broken out into downright speeches and invectives, had not Peter Stuyvesant privately sent home his walking-staff, to be laid as a mace on the table of the council chamber, in the midst of his counsellors; who, like wise men, took the hint, and for ever after held their peace.

CHAPTER VI.

"

he sounds the charge in all the disposition and
All mankind are concerned it
spirit of Homer. He catalogues the allies on both
gages our attention.
sides. He awakens our expectations, and fast en
the important point now going to be decided. En
deavours are made to disclose futurity. Heaven
itself is interested in the dispute. The earth totters,
and nature seems to labour with the great event.
This is his solemn sublime manner of setting out.
Thus he magnifies a war between two, as Rapin
styles them, petty states; and thus artfully he sup-
ports a little subject, by treating it in a great and
noble method."

In like manner, having conducted my readers into
the very teeth of peril-having followed the advent-
urous Peter and his band into foreign regions-sur-
rounded by foes, and stunned by the horrid din of
arms-at this important moment, while darkness and
doubt hang o'er cach coming chapter, I hold it meet
that are to follow.
to harangue them, and prepare them for the events

And here I would premise one great advantage which, as the historian, I possess over my reader; and this it is, that though I cannot save the life of my favourite hero, nor absolutely contradict the event of a battle, (both which liberties, though often taken I by the French writers of the present reign, I hold to can now and then make him to bestow on his enemy be utterly unworthy of a scrupulous historian,) yet OUS MOVEMENTS, WHICH BETOKEN THAT SOME-a sturdy back-stroke sufficient to fell a giant; though,

SHOWING THE GREAT ADVANTAGE THAT THE
AUTHOR HAS OVER HIS READER IN TIME OF

BATTLE

TOGETHER WITH DIVERS PORTENT

THING TERRIBLE IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

of Troy; for which, if ever they have encountered one another in the Elysian fields, I'll warrant the prince of poets has had to make the most humble apology.

in honest truth, he may never have done any thing of the kind-or I can drive his antagonist clear round LIKE as a mighty alderman, when at a corporation and round the field, as did Homer make that fine felfeast the first spoonful of turtle soup salutes his pal-low Hector scamper like a poltroon round the walls ate, feels his impatient appetite but tenfold quickened, and redoubles his vigorous attacks upon the tureen, while his voracious eyes, projecting from his head, roll greedily round, devouring every thing at table—so did the mettlesome Peter Stuyvesant feel that intolerable hunger for martial glory, which raged within his very bowels, inflamed by the capture of Fort Casimir, and nothing could allay it but the conquest of all New-Sweden. No sooner, therefore, had he secured his conquest, than he stumped resolutely on, flushed with success, to gather fresh laurels at Fort Christina.*

This was the grand Swedish post, established on a small river (or as it is improperly termed, creek) of the same name; and here that crafty Governor Jan Risingh lay grimly drawn up, like a gray-bearded spider in the citadel of his web.

But before we hurry into the direful scenes that must attend the meeting of two such potent chieftains, it is advisable that we pause for a moment, and hold a kind of warlike council. Battles should not be rushed into precipitately by the historian and his readers, any more than by the general and his soldiers. The great commanders of antiquity never engaged the enemy, without previously preparing the minds of their followers by animating harangues; spiriting them up to heroic feelings, assuring them of the protection of the gods, and inspiring them with a confidence in the prowess of their leaders. So the historian should awaken the attention and enlist the passions of his readers, and having set them all on fire with the importance of his subject, he should put himself at their head, flourish his pen, and lead them on to the thickest of the fight.

An illustrious example of this rule may be seen in
that mirror of historians, the immortal Thucydides.
Having arrived at the breaking out of the Pelopon-
nesian war, one of his commentators observes, that

*This is at present a flourishing town, called Christiana, or
Christeen, about thirty-seven miles from Philadelphia, on the
road to Baltimore

post

I am aware that many conscientious readers will whenever I render be ready to cry out "foul play! a little assistance to my hero-but I consider it one of those privileges exercised by historians of all ages, and one which has never been disputed. In fact, a historian is, as it were, bound in honour to stand hands, and it is his duty to do the best by it he can. by his hero-the fame of the latter is intrusted to his Never was there a general, an admiral, or any other commander, who, in giving an account of any battle he had fought, did not sorely belabour the enemy; history of their own achievements, they would have and I have no doubt that, had my heroes written the dealt much harder blows than any that I shall recount. Standing forth, therefore, as the guardian of their fame, it behoves me to do them the same justice they would have done themselves; and if I happen to be a little hard upon the Swedes, I give free leave to any of their descendants, who may write a history of the State of Delaware, to take fair retaliation, and belabour Peter Stuyvesant as hard as they please.

Therefore stand by for broken heads and bloody noses!-my pen hath long itched for a battle-siege after siege have I carried on without blows or bloodshed; but now I have at length got a chance, and I vow to Heaven and St. Nicholas, that, let the chronicles of the time say what they please, neither Sallust, ever record a fiercer fight than that in which my Livy, Tacitus, Polybius, nor any other historian, did valiant chieftains are now about to engage.

And you, oh most excellent readers, whom, for your faithful adherence, I could cherish in the warmfate of our favourite Stuyvesant to me-for by the est corner of my heart-be not uneasy-trust the Piet to the last; Ill make him drive about these rood, come what may, I'll stick by Hard-kopping