CHAPTER   VII.

THE  CONDITION  OP  THB  CITY AT  THE  TIME  OP  THE  CAPITULATION TO  THB
ENGLISH  IN  1664.

To illustrate the early condition of the city, it is pro¬
posed to adopt the period at which the rule of the Dutch
terminated, after the city had been under their auspices
between thirty and forty years, and had grown up to
be a considerable town, of about fifteen hundred inhabit¬
ants; and for the purpose of presenting the Dutch city in
its precise aspect, we shall conduct the reader through
every street, and particularize the several residents.

It has been observed that the boundary of the city was
principally defined by the stockades erected, in 1653, on
the present line of Wall street; and also, that along the
west side of the road, on the shore of the East river, on
the present line of Pearl street, several of the citizens had
established their residences, at a very early period. This
road, between the city gate and the ferry, at the present
site of Peck slip, was known as " De Smit's Valey," or
" The Smith's Valley. The origin of this name is ascribed
to the circumstance that Cornelius Clopper, a blacksmith,
established himself on the present corner of Maiden lane
and Pearl street. Here he intercepted the country people
from Long Island, and pursued a profitable business; mak-