CHAPTER IX

KIEFT AND  HIS INDIAN WAR

Who can divine what wisdom brooded over the
College of the Nineteen Directors of the Com¬
pany, when they chose Van Twiller's successor,
William Kieft ? Though with more abilities and
experience, while possibly less foolish, Kieft was
scarcely fitted to be either a statesman or a first-
class business man. Very probably it was in the
reaction against too much patroonism that such a
man was appointed. It is probable, also, that in
political influence with the States-General, rather
than in special favor with the Company, lay the
secret of Kieft's selection. Wishing to avoid war
with England until the Spaniards were overcome,
especially since the fortunes of the West India
Company were declining, the Dutch National
Congress made direct choice of this man who
promised great reforms. It is certain that dark
stories were told of his previous misbehavior in
France and Turkey, before reaching America,
and that from the first he as surely boasted of his
power as it seems he intended to misuse it.

Kieft took the oath of office, which he was to
break in manifold ways, and sailed on the ship
Herring.   To avoid the terrible Hatteras and