MySource:Quolla6/O'Callaghan, 1849:131-132

From Source:O'Callaghan, 1849:131-132

FIRST EMIGRANTS TO NEW NETHERLAND. [ From Baudartius. ]

Inasmuch as the multitude of people, not only natives but foreigners, who are seeking a livelihood in the United Provides is very great, so that where one stiver is to be earned there are ten hands ready to seize it, especially in Holland which is the reservoir of divers kingdoms and countries. Many are oblige^, on this account, to go in search of other lands andl residence^ where they can obtain a living more easily and at less expense. Accordingly, in the year 1624, as in previous years, divers families went from Holland to. Virginia in the West Indies, a great portion of them being English, called Brownists, whom King James will not permit nor suffer to live in his land, because they hold and maintain divers points of religion improbated by the present church of England.

A ship arrived in August from that part of Virginia called New Netherland, which had conveyed some families from Holland thither. This vessel brings many and various letters from private individuals, each written.to. friends and acquaintances, whereof this is mostly the tenor-— "

We were much gratified on arriving in this country ; Here we found beautiful rivers, bubbling fountains flowing down into the valleys ; basins of running waters in the flatlands, agreeable fruits in the woods, such as strawberries, pigeon berries, walnuts, and.also voor labrusten or wild grapes. The woods abound with acorns for feeding hogs, and with venison. There is considerable fish in the rivers; good tillage land; here is, especially, free coining and going, without fear of the naked natives of the country. Had we cows, hogs, and other cattle fit for food (which we daily expect in the first ships) we would not wish to return to Holland, for whatever we desire in the paradise of Holland, is here to be found. If you will come hither with your family, you will not regret it."

This and similar letters have roused and stimulated many to resolve to emigrate thither with their families, in the hope of being able to earn a handsome livelihood, strongly fancying that they will live there in luxury and ease, whilst here on the contrary, they must earn their bread by the sweat of their brow.

BAUDARTIUS' Gedenkwaardige Geschiedenissen zo kerkelyke als wereldlyke. 2 vols. fol. Arnhem. 1624. We translate the above from the Sheboygan Nieuwsbode of 15 Sept. 1851. Gulielmus Baudartius (or Baudart) the author of the work from which it is borrowed, was Minister at Zutphen for a period of thirty six years. He was originally a native of Deinse in Flanders, and was selected at the Synod of Dort as one of the translators of the Old Testament—so great was his reputation as a Hebrew Scholar. He died at Zutphen in 1640, at the age of 66 years. A list of his works will be found in the Biog. Universelle ; Biog. Diet. Watts &c. The Gcdenkwaardige Geschiedenissen, or Remarkable ecclesiastical and political Events, from 1603 to 1624, is represented as a sort of Supplement to Van Meteren's History. ED.