Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/108

84 the Dutch away altogether. Long Island was claimed by Lord Sterling's agent, and under that claim insult was offered by a party from Lynn, Massachusetts, who attempted to settle on the western end of the island. They pulled down the Dutch arms, and put up in its place an indecent caricature. The Dutch made prisoners of them, and on their apologizing allowed them to retire to the eastern barren end of the island, where they founded Southampton, and put themselves under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. Various other active efforts were made by the New England colonists, which resulted in the founding of Stratford, Stamford, and Greenwich. Indeed the English inhabitants had increased so rapidly, even in the territory acknowledging the jurisdiction of the Dutch, that an English Secretary was found necessary, and George Baxter was appointed to that office.

The people of New Haven were desirous of founding a settlement on Delaware Bay, and some fifty families set out for this purpose. On touching at New Amsterdam, Kieft protested warmly against these encroachments; but they did not heed his words. Accordingly, in May, 1641, Kieft sent two sloops to break up the settlement, an enterprise into which the commander of the Swedish fort heartily entered; Lamberton, the leader of the party, was obliged to pay a ransom; the rest were compelled to swear allegiance to Sweden; and the Director insisted upon duties being paid at New Amsterdam, or the fur-trade in the Delaware. Naturally enough, the New Haven people took offence at all this, and the quarrel proceeded to that length, that Kieft proclaimed a non-intercourse with the colony on the Connecticut.

About the same date, serious difficulties began to arise with the Indians. Several murders had been committed, and it was judged necessary to take steps to meet the emergency. A board of "Twelve Men" was appointed; and eighty men were sent against the hostile Indians; but with out result, the guide having missed the way. Soon after, a Dutchman was murdered out of revenge, by a Hackensack Indian, who had been made drunk and robbed. Kieft would have no redress but that of blood, although full reparation was offered, according to the Indian idea of justice in such cases. While this dispute was yet unsettled, the Tappan Indians fled to the Dutch on being attacked by the Mohawks; and it was while they were thus trusting to the hospitality of white men that the detestable plan was hastily and wickedly formed to cut them off. In spite of the remonstrances of the best men in the colony, the cry for blood prevailed; and in February, 1643, the shrieks of the victims were heard even across the icy river. Warriors, old men, women, and children were slain without mercy. to the number of eighty or more. Infants with their mothers perished in the river, the wounded were killed the next morning in cold blood, and about thirty prisoners were taken to New Amsterdam.

Retaliation followed as a matter of