1660.] HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. 77 



Amstel, 16 or 17 more on land belonging to the Dutch, and 13 

 or 14 belonging to the Swedes.' In a pro})Osition to tax the 

 Swedes and Finns within the jurisdiction of the West India Com- 

 pany, towards the close of 165*J, the number of their families is esti- 

 mated at 200. By estimating five persons to each family at the 

 close of this year, the whole European population of the river 

 would amount to 1,700. 



The Burgomasters of the City of Amsterdam failing to get 

 rid of their American Colony, made a new loan, and showed a dis- 

 position to act with more vigor in promoting the interests of the 

 colonists. A year, however, was allowed to pass away before 

 the inhabitants of New Amstel felt the invigorating effects of this 

 change in the policy of their rulers. They were even in a state 

 of uncertainty during the most of the year 1660, whether ar- 

 rangements had not been made for their re-transfer to the Com- 

 pany. As a consequence, many disorders ensued, among which 

 jangling and quarreling among the ofiicials were the most promi- 

 nent. 



As a means of averting the evils with which the colony was 

 surrounded, days of public thanksgiving were occasionally obser- 

 ved, but this year the ungodly coiuicil of New Amstel command- 

 ed that " a fast and prater da// should be holden on the first 

 Monday of each month."- 



Sheriff Van Dyck estimates the number of men in the '' Swe- 

 dish and Finnish nation," capable of bearing arras at 130. 

 Some of them were allowed to be enlisted as soldiers, while at 

 the very same time an order from Stuyvesant was in force to 

 collect them all into one or two villages. 



Preparatory to carrying this unjust and unreasonable order 

 into execution, Beekman spent a few days amongst the Swedes 

 and Finns, and found that different settlements could not converse 

 with each other, " for want of a knowledge of their reciprocal 

 language." There was a difference of opinion between the sett- 

 lers about Aroutnerk and those of Kenescs, as to which was the 

 more eligible for the proposed Swedish village. It was argued 

 against the latter " that there was no defence whatever, neither 

 a place for safe retreat, as considerable under-wood and many 

 streams must be passed;" and in favor of Arounderyk, that 

 " there is a pretty large kill, Avhich might be chosen to cover a 

 retreat or prepare for defence." Besides " at Aroundei'yk 

 they might cultivate their fields on the other side of the kill, on 

 the Passayung road, where is a rich, fruitful soil, and last har- 

 vest a considerable quantity of seed was sowed." lie found 

 some willing to compromise, by accepting the proposals, while 



1 N. Y. Col. Doc. ii. 76. 



2 Beekman's letter, JIaz. Ann. 30.^, a? quoted from Albany Rec. xvii. 39. 



