How the Dutch Came to Manhattan

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This historical volume is from 1897.

The Story of the Dutch of New Amsterdam
has often been told in scholarly prose, but the
picturesque feature of romantic fact has seldom, if
ever, received the acknowledgment which it seems to
deserve and require.

As a nation of sea-farers and traders, the Dutch
acquired an enviable reputation, and for them to
have so successfully founded a commercial colony
was but to have been expected.

The history of the city of New York has been
ably and exhaustively treated by many notable writers,
and to them, as well as to other prolific sources, we
are indebted for the verification of our facts.

The arrangement herein follows no previously
conceived plan or outline, except that it supplements
the first book of the series, "The Voyage of the
Mayflower," but forms in itself a true chronicle of
the events of the early Dutch occupation of Man-
hattan Island from its beginnings to its final reversion
into English hands.

Personalities have been avoided, except so far as
has seemed necessary and advisable in order to
retain the point and purpose of the text ; namely,
that it shall appear pleasing and attractive as well
as truthful and correct ; for the same reason general-
ities mostly have been dealt with, and a detailed
statement only expressed where it commemorates
some especially significant event.

Supplementing this, the drawings have been made
with a like regard for fidelity and authenticity, and
idealized only where deemed permissible and ap-
propriate.

As is true of the other older cities in America,
abundant evidence still exists in New York to
remind one of the early days ; the peculiar formation
of the island has made any radical change in the
laying out of the city impossible, hence any his-
torical account must bespeak with praise in reference
to the judgment and foresight of its founders and
organizers.

"A noble tale well told, of valiant deeds well
done," is an epigram from an ancient tome, which it
is to be hoped will be merited in some measure by
the contents of this book.

Contents:

The Discovery of Manhattan
The Settlement
The Dutch Governors
English Control
The Second Occupation of the Dutch