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ransom had stifled revenge and calmed the pride of
Chap. XV.} 1643. July 20. Sept. 15. |
honor.
‘The presents we have received,’ said aft older chief, in despondency, ‘bear no proportion to our loss; the price of blood has not been paid;’
1 and war was renewed.
The commander of the
Dutch troops was
John Underhill, a fugitive from
New England, a veteran in Indian warfare, and one of the bravest men of his day. Having the licentiousness not less than the courage of the soldiers of that age, he had been compelled, at
Boston, in a great assembly, on lecture-day, during
the session of the General Court, dressed in the ruthful habit of a penitent, to stand upon a platform, and with sighs and tears, and brokenness of heart, and the aspect of sorrow, to beseech the compassion of the congregation.
2 In the following year, he removed to New
Netherland, and now, with a little army of one hundred and twenty men, became the protector of the
Dutch settlements.
The war continued for two years. At
to length, the
Dutch were weary of danger; the Indians tired of being hunted like beasts.
The
Mohawks claimed a sovereignty over the Algonquins; their ambassador appeared at
Manhattan to negotiate a peace;
and in front of Fort Amsterdam, according to Indian
usage, under the open sky, on the spot now so beautiful, where the commerce of the world may be watched from shady walks, in the presence of the sun and of the ocean, the sachems of
New Jersey, of the
River Indians, of the Mohicans, and from
Long Island, acknowledging the chiefs of the Five Nations as witnesses and arbitrators, and having around them the director and council of New Netherland, with the whole commonalty
