1654.] HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. 61 



" in addition to the special appointments which he might receive 

 from the company of the South." His instructions' clearly 

 sliow that his government did not intend to vest in him the same 

 powers that had been enjo^'cd by Printz. Until he received 

 further orders, he was to "' place into the hands of John Amund- 

 son, all that relates to the military and the defence of the country ; 

 establishing in the interim, a council formed of the best instruc- 

 ted and most noble officers in the country, of which Rysingh 

 shall be Director — in such a manner, however, that neither he, 

 in his charge, nor John Amundson, as Governor of militia, in 

 his, shall decide or approve anything, without reciprocally con- 

 sulting each other." ^Vhile the inijiortance of obtaining a con- 

 trol of the mouth of the river, is presented in strong general 

 terms, his instructions in regard to Fort Casimir, were si)ecific. 

 '* With respect to the fortress that the Dutch have built upon our 

 coast, if he cannot induce them to abandon it by arguments and 

 serious remonstrances, and without resorting to hostilities, it is 

 better that our subjects avoid the latter, confining themselves 

 solely to protestations." A fortress '' lower down towards the 

 mouth of the river, below that of the Dutch, in order to defend 

 the passage, and render theirs useless," is recommended, but the 

 recommendation is coupled with a strict injunction for " employ- 

 ing the mildest measures, because hostilities will in no degree 

 tend to increase the strength of the Swedes in the country." 



The commercial privileges were as liberal as could be desired, 

 and in this respect, were in striking contrast with those of the 

 Dutch. The purchase and cultivation of land was encouraged — 

 the purchases to be made " either from the company or the sa- 

 vages," and, "in respect to the lands thus purchased, subjects 

 recognizing the jurisdiction of the crown of Sweden," were to 

 enjoy " all franchises and allodial privileges, themselves, and 

 their descendants forever." 



In consideration of the very faithful and zealous services, that 

 Rysingh had rendered, and was still disposed to render, her 

 Majesty granted " to him and his wife, and to their legitimate 

 male heirs and their descendants, as much land in the West In- 

 dies, and New Sweden as he shall be able to cultivate with 20 to 

 30 peasants ; ceding to him the aforesaid country with all its 

 dependencies, with all, »S:c., .... to enjoy, employ nnd keep 

 the same, in the same manner and with the same franchises as 

 our nobles, and as a perpetual property."- This Royal grant was 

 located on the river a short distance below New Castle. 



Arriving in new Sweden towards the end of May, 1054. on 

 board of the government ship Aren. (Eagle.) Rysingh commenced 

 his administration by capturing the Dutch Fort Casimir in direct 



' IIuz. Reg. iv. 399, 400. 2 lb. 398. 



