Page:Augustine Herrman, beginner of the Virginia tobacco trade, merchant of New Amsterdam and first lord of Bohemia manor in Maryland (1941).djvu/29

 (on the east side of the Delaware River) under Van Twiller. He was ordered by the Dutch governor to buy a large tract of land on the Schuylkill River on which a fort called Beversrede was later built; so named because of the multitude of beavers which abounded there. “Those From the South (called Munquasson) and the wild blacks, are brought down in large quantities; so that the river, for its fitness, handsome situation, as well in regard of trade as of culture will always be held by the company and ministers in high esteem.” The conveyance of the land was made by means of the following document:

This document is signed by Amattehooren, Sinquees, Alebackinne, Michecksonwabbe, Quironqueckock, Kancke and Walpackvouch with their curious appropriate marks.

The above instrument was witnessed by, “Augustin Heermans, Govert Loockermans, Juriaen Plancke, Cornelis Jansen Coele and Sander Leendertsen.”

The years from 1634 to 1644 are blank in relation to Herrman’s life so far as documentary evidence is concerned. It is probable, however, that he remained in the service of the Dutch West India Company, making frequent trips to Amsterdam and the West Indies. Commenting upon this period of Herrman’s life, Čapek says: