cheeses."

It is truly refreshing to witness the fraternal spirit manifested on
this occasion. How many of the woes of this world might have been
averted had the brotherhood of man been thus recognized by the leaders
of the nations!

A messenger was sent to Plymouth. He was hospitably entertained, and
returned to Fort Amsterdam with such testimonials of his reception as
induced Director Minuit to send a formal ambassador to Plymouth,
entrusted with plenipotentiary powers. Governor Bradford apologized
for not sending an ambassador to Fort Amsterdam, stating, "one of our
boats is abroad, and we have much business at home." Director Minuit
selected Isaac De Rassieres, secretary of the province, "a man of fair
and genteel behavior," as his ambassador. This movement was, to those
infant colonies, an event of as much importance as any of the more
stately embassies which have been interchanged between European
courts.

The barque Nassau was fitted out, and manned with a small band of
soldiers, and some trumpeters. It was the last of September, 1629,
when earth and sky were bathed in all the glories of New England
autumnal days. In De Rassieres' account of the excursion, he writes:

"Sailing through Hell-gate, and along the shores of
Connecticut and Rhode Island, we arrived, early the next
month, off Frenchman's Point, at a small river where those
of New Plymouth have a house, made of hewn oak planks,
called Aptuxet; where they keep two men, winter and summer,
in order to maintain the trade and possession."