THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX 



altho its actual history, dates with the arrival, thirty years later, 

 of Jonas Bronck, its first white settler. 



To Hudson, who was employed by the Dutch East India Com- 

 pany, had been assigned the task of discovering a northwest pas- 

 sage to the Pacific — that long-sought sea-way to the Indies, for 

 which all the nations and the traders of Europe were then striv- 

 ing. He failed in this undertaking, but he brought back news that 

 was of far greater value to the Dutch nation than the route for 

 which he had been in search. 



The Dutch were at that time the foremost commercial people 

 in the world, and it was not long after Hudson had made known 

 his discovery that venturesome Hollanders began to make their 



appearance on Manhattan 

 trading with the Indians 

 try. As he sailed up the 

 the western shore of Man- 

 narrow strip of land, thir- 

 of the most diversified 

 beauty. It is said that 

 with the wild, picturesque 

 eyes that he anchored the 

 Duyvil to get a better and 

 chanted land. Hardly had 

 when the deep solitude of 

 by the loud whoops of In- 

 ridge opposite suddenly be- 

 horde of savages. Closer 

 fied village protected by a 

 torians tell us, was the In- 

 which was situated on Ber- 

 shore of Supyten 

 From the ex- 

 Moon cre- 

 evident 

 dians were 

 know what 

 this strange ap- 

 anchor off their 



Island for the purpose of 

 and of exploring the coun- 

 magnificent river skirting 

 hattan, Hudson found a 

 teen and a half miles long, 

 scenery and great natural 

 Hudson was so impressed 

 country spread before his 

 Half Moon off Spuyten 

 closer view of the en- 

 the vessel come to a stop 

 the wilderness was broken 

 dians, and the wooded 

 came alive with a wild 

 inspection disclosed a forti- 

 strong stockade. This, his- 

 dian village of Nipinchsen, 

 rian's Neck on the north 

 Duyvil Creek, 

 citement the Half 

 ated, it was 

 that the In- 

 at a Joss to 



I 



to make of 

 henry hudson monument parition lying at 



village. Was she 

 some evil spirit the medicine-men of some hostile tribe sent to awe 

 them, or was she a stranger from some distant country? But 



