18 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

about $24 of our money), and a large fort was erected at its lower end, and named “Fort Amsterdam;” while other improvements were planned and commenced.

At “Fort Orange,” however, about this time, affairs took a most unfortunate turn. The commander at that post, forgetful of that neutrality which, hitherto, had been strictly observed by the Dutch in the affairs of the surrounding Indian tribes, joined a party of Mahicans on the war-path against the Mohawks, and, in the battle which ensued, was slain, together with three of his men. His folly had even a worse result, in the sense of insecurity which it threw over the settlement at Fort Orange, and, indeed, over the whole colony. And, though good feeling was finally restored with the Mohawks, yet the progress of colonization received a shock from which it did not soon recover. The Director, justly apprehensive of the danger to which the settlers at Fort Orange, Fort Nassau, and Verhulsten Island were exposed, recalled them all to Manhattan Island, in order that a concentration of householders might e made at that point where the natives “were becoming more and more accustomed to the presence of foreigners.” Sixteen soldiers, only, were left at Fort Orange; the traffic to the South River was limited to the voyages of one small yacht, and every precaution was adopted by the prudent Director, which could conduce to the commercial interests of the company, as well as to the safety of its employees and colonists.