Great Epochs in American History, Volume 2: The Planting of the First Colonies: 1562—1733
History
Great Epochs in American History, Volume 2: The Planting of the First Colonies: 1562—1733
United States -- History
The Dutch inhabit mostly those parts of the province that lie upon or
near the bay, and the Swedes the freshes of the river Delaware. There
is no need of giving any description of them, who are better known
there than here; but they are a plain, strong, industrious people, yet
have made no great progress in culture, or propagation of fruit-trees;
as if they desired rather to have enough than plenty or traffic. But I
presume the Indians made them the more careless by furnishing them
with the means of profit, to wit, skins and furs for rum and such
strong liquors. They kindly received me as well as the English, who
were few before the people concerned with me came among them. I must
needs commend their respect to authority, and kind behaviour to the
English. They do not degenerate from the old friendship between both
kingdoms. As they are people proper and strong of body, so they have
fine children, and almost every house full: rare to find one of them
without three or four boys and as many girls; some six, seven, and
eight sons. And I must do them that right; I see few young men more
sober and laborious.
The Dutch have a meeting-place for religious worship at Newcastle; and
the Swedes three; one at Christina, one at Tenecum, and one at Wicoco,
within half a mile of this town.
There rests that I speak of the condition we are in, and what
settlement we have made; in which I will be as short as I can. The
country lieth bounded on the east by the river and bay of Delaware and
Eastern Sea. It hath the advantage of many creeks, or rivers, that run
into the main river or bay, some navigable for great ships, some for
small craft. Those of most eminency are Christina, Brandywine,
Skilpot, and Sculkil, any one of which has room to lay up the royal
navy of England, there being from four to eight fathom of water.
The lesser creeks or rivers, yet convenient for sloops and ketches of
good burthen, are Lewis, Mespillion, Cedar, Dover, Cranbrook,
Feversham, and Georges below; and Chichester, Chester, Toacawny,
Pammapecka, Portquessin, Neshimenck, and Pennberry in the freshes:
many lesser, that admit boats and shallops. Our people are mostly
settled upon the upper rivers, which are pleasant and sweet, and
generally bounded with good land.
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