The leader of these men was the founder of Schenectady, Arendt Van Curler. He was the nephew of Killiaen Van Rensselaer, and came from Holland in 1630 as director of his uncle’s principality. This he managed with great success for many years. All accounts agree in describing him as a man of honor, benevolence, ability and activity. His unvarying fairness and tactful address soon secured for him the respect and confidence of all who knew him, and especially of the Mohawk Indians. In their opinion he was the greatest and best white man they ever knew. They decorated him while living with the distinction of “very good friend,” and honored him when dead by calling other governors “Curler” or “Corlear,” a title which still survives with the same meaning in the language of the scattered remnants of their tribe. It was through his good offices that peace was secured between the province and the Five Nations, among whom the Mohawks were the foremost, and preserved unbroken during his life. By following his policy peace was long maintained after his death. The beauty and fertility of the Mohawk country early attracted his attention. A letter addressed by him in 1643 to the “Noble Patroon” at Amsterdam exists, in which, after giving an account of his stewardship as manager of his uncle’s interests, he writes that the year before he had visited the Mohawk country, where he found three French prisoners, one of them being the celebrated Father Jogues, “a very learned scholar, who was very cruelly treated, his finger and thumb being cut off.” These prisoners were doomed to death, but Van Curler succeeded in effecting their release. Father Jogues, however, eager for the salvation of their souls, returned to them two years later, to suffer martyrdom at their hands. In this letter Van Curler writes: “Within a half-day’s journey from the Colonies lies the most beautiful land on the Mohawk river that eye ever saw, full a day’s journey long.” He says “it cannot be reached by boat owing to the strength of the stream and shallowness of the water, but can be reached by wagons.” [Illustration: “THE BLUE GATE” ENTRANCE TO UNION COLLEGE GROUNDS.] Another part of this letter is worth transcribing: “I am at present betrothed to the widow of the late Mr. Jonas Bronck. May the good God vouchsafe to bless me in my undertaking, and please to grant that it may conduce to His honor and our mutual salvation. Amen.” We know that the good lady long survived him, and as his widow was conceded some special privileges by the government. “The most beautiful land” upon which Van Curler looked, was the Mohawk Valley, embracing Schenectady and extending far to the westward.