The Puritans.--Memorial to the States-General.--Disagreement
of the English and the Dutch.--Colony on the
Delaware.--Purchase of Manhattan.--The First Settlement.--An
Indian Robbed and Murdered.--Description of the
Island.--Diplomatic Intercourse.--Testimony of De
Rassieres.--The Patroons.--The Disaster at Swaanendael.

In the year 1620 the Puritans founded their world-renowned colony at
Plymouth, as we have minutely described in the History of Miles
Standish. It will be remembered that the original company of Puritans
were of English birth. Dissatisfied with the ritual and ceremonies
which the Church of England had endeavored to impose upon them, they
had emigrated to Holland, where they had formed a church upon their
own model. Rev. John Robinson, a man of fervent piety and of
enlightened views above his times, was their pastor.

After residing in Holland for several years, this little band of
Englishmen, not pleased with that country as their permanent abode,
decided to seek a new home upon the continent of North America. They
first directed their attention towards Virginia, but various obstacles
were thrown in their way by the British Government, and at length Mr.
Robinson addressed a letter to the Dutch Company, intimating the
disposition felt by certain members of his flock, to take up their
residence at New Netherland.

The proposition was very cordially received. The intelligent gentlemen
of that Company at once saw that there was thus presented to them an