New York's part in history . ngage in ship-building. Using thecompanys means, he caused a vessel of eight hundred tonsburden to be built. This was one of the largest vessels in theworld at that time, and it was nearly two hundred years be-fore another as large was built in this country. The vesselwas very appropriately named the New Netherland. It costmuch more to build it than had been expected and the com-pany was greatly displeased. Though forbidden to do so, the patroons did engage in thefur trade surreptitiously. The company thought iNIinuit wasnot as active in suppressing this illegal tr
New York's part in history . ngage in ship-building. Using thecompanys means, he caused a vessel of eight hundred tonsburden to be built. This was one of the largest vessels in theworld at that time, and it was nearly two hundred years be-fore another as large was built in this country. The vesselwas very appropriately named the New Netherland. It costmuch more to build it than had been expected and the com-pany was greatly displeased. Though forbidden to do so, the patroons did engage in thefur trade surreptitiously. The company thought iNIinuit wasnot as active in suppressing this illegal trade as he shouldhave been, and that he was more interested in the welfare ofthe colonists than in the financial prosperity of the great expense incurred by Minuit, in building the NewNetherland, led to an investigation of the affairs of the colony,and this in turn led to the recall of ]\Iinuit. The patroon system had its advantages as well as its dis-advantages. It provided for schools and churches. It satis- 112. NEW YORK UNDER THE DUTCH fied the Indians for their lands. But it introduced slavery,established monopoly and created an aristocratic class withspecial privileges. Wouter Van Twiller, 1633-1637.—It is a little difficult totell why Wouter Van Twiller should have been appointedDirector-General of New Netherland unless it was because hehad married a niece of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, the mostpowerful and influential of the directors of the West IndiaCompany, who perhaps wanted in that position someone whowould be favorable to his interests. Van Twiller had been toNew Netherland twice in the employment of Van Rensselaerand he had been a clerk in the companys warehouse at Am-sterdam for five years. His selection was a sorry choice andit occasioned much surprise. He was a person of question-able morals, unduly fond of good living; he had no practicalknowledge of government and was not a good judge of menor their motives. He was irresolute, narrow-minded, slow in
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectnewyork, bookyear1915
