A Description of New NetherlandThis edition of A Description of New Netherland provides the first complete and accurate English-language translation of an essential first-hand account of the lives and world of Dutch colonists and northeastern Native communities in the seventeenth century. Adriaen van der Donck, a graduate of Leiden University in the 1640s, became the law enforcement officer for the Dutch patroonship of Rensselaerswijck, located along the upper Hudson River. His position enabled him to interact extensively with Dutch colonists and the local Algonquians and Iroquoians. An astute observer, detailed recorder, and accessible writer, Van der Donck was ideally situated to write about his experiences and the natural and cultural worlds around him. Van der Donck s Beschryvinge van Nieuw-Nederlant was first published in 1655 and then expanded in 1656. An inaccurate and abbreviated English translation appeared in 1841 and was reprinted in 1968. This new volume features an accurate, polished translation by Diederik Willem Goedhuys and includes all the material from the original 1655 and 1656 editions. The result is an indispensable first-hand account with enduring value to historians, ethnohistorians, and anthropologists. |
Contents
The country | 1 |
Of the manners and extraordinary qualities of the original natives of New Netherland | 73 |
Of the nature amazing ways and properties of the beavers | 115 |
A conversation between adutch patriot and a newnetherlander concerning thecondition of new netherland | 127 |
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Common terms and phrases
able American animals appear bark bear beaver become believe better body called carry cause Christians close coast cold colony color comes common Company corn covered deer Description devil Donck Dutch earth East England English falls fish fruit given ground grow hair happens head houses hunting Indians Island Italy keep kinds known land later leaves living look matter means miles Mohawk native nature Netherland never North observe once particularly pass persons places plants present produce reason reference regard remain River seen seldom shape ship side situated skins sometimes South species spring standing summer taken told trade translation trees turn usually Van der Donck various weather West wide wild wind winter women wood York young