HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 27

West India Company was formed, which sent out an expedition to establish a new colony in those parts, and its chief command was intrusted to no less a person than Peter Minuit, the former Director of New Netherland. In May, 1638, Minuit, undeterred by the protests and threats of Director Kieft, established near the site of the present city of Wilmington, Del., a trading-house and fort, which he loyally named, after the young queen of Sweden, “Fort Christina.” Availing himself of the experience which lie had previously gained at Manhattan, he quickly “drew all the skins towards him by his liberal gifts,” so that, by midsummer, the vessels which brought him out, returned to Sweden well laden with furs.

At home, in “the Fatherland,” the affairs of the province of New Netherland were again undergoing a searching investigation by the States-General, who finally directed the Amsterdam Chamber of the West India Company to take such immediate measures as should most effectually regenerate the social, political, and commercial state of the colony under their charge. Thus enjoined, the Amsterdam Chamber, by proclamation, in September, 1638, threw open New Netherland to free trade by all inhabitants of the United Provinces and of friendly nations, “in the company's ships,” and subject to an import duty of fifteen per cent. and to an export duty of ten per cent. The director and council of New Netherland were directed to furnish every emigrant, “according to his condition and means, with as much land as he and his family can properly cultivate,” a quit-rent of a tenth being reserved to the company, thus assuring legal estates of inheritance to the grantees. Each colonist or trader, availing himself of this proclamation, was required to sign a pledge of obedience to the officers of the company, acting in subordination to the States-General, and promising, in all questions and differences which might arise, to abide by the decision of the established colonial courts. Free passage, and other inducements, were also offered to respectable farmers who wished to emigrate to the new country.

The adoption of this liberal policy by the West India Company marked a new era in the history of the province, and gave a rapid impulse to its prosperity. Plans of colonization were formed by capitalists, and many persons of ample means came out from