HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW  YORK.
 

CHAPTER    VI.
 

GOVERNOR WILHELM KIEFT.

GovERNOB Wilhelm Kieft. —The Extraordinary Council. —Abuses. —Proclama¬
tions. — The Dominie's Wedding. — A Curious Slander Case. — The First Ferry
TO Long Island. — Encroachments of the Swedes. — A new Policy. — Captain
De Vries's Arrival. —The Pioneer Settlers.— Oloff Stevensen Van Cortlandt.
— English Ambition. —Captain De Vries's Travels and vs^hat he sat.v. —Pur¬
chase OF Indian Lands. —Trouble ■\vith the Indians. — The new Charter of
Freedoms and Exemptions. — The Store-Keeper. — The Six Murderers. — Muni¬
cipal Eegulations. —The first Marine Telegraph in the Harbor.

/"^ OVEENOE WILHELM KIEFT was somewhat coolly received
Vll" when, after a long and tedious voyage in the Herring, he landed on
Manhattan Island, March 28, 1638. Eumors to his disadvantage had
preceded him. It was said that he had once failed in the mercan¬
tUe business in HoUand, and, according to custom, his portrait had
been affixed to the gaUows in consequence. That, in Dutch estimation,
was a lasting disgmce. Since then, he had been sent by the govemment
as Minister to Turkey, and had been intrusted with money to procure the
ransom of some Christians in bondage. The captives were left in their
chains, and the money was never refunded. Such unfortunate antece¬
dents were not calculated to inspire confidence, and the man himself had
no personal attractions. He was small in size, fussy, bustling, fiery, and
avaricious. He had a wiry look, as if he was constantly standing on
guard; prominent, sharp features; and deep-set, restless gray eyes. He
was industrious and strictly temperate, not wanting in natural abilities,
and far from heedless of the laws of moraUty; but his education was
Umited and his self-conceit -unrestrained, and in his ignorance of the
true principles of govemment he imagined himself able to legislate,
individuaUy, for all mankind.

He seized the reins of authority with the air of a master, the wiU of a
tyrant, and a determination of spirit which would not brook interfer¬
ence.    He consulted no one.    He showed no deference to the opinions of