A Description of New Netherland
Publication Year: 2008
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.
Published by: University of Nebraska Press
Cover
Title Page, Copyright
Contents
Foreword
Download PDF (80.6 KB)
pp. ix-xvi
In 1641 a young Dutchman did what millions of Europeans after him would do: left his home and all that he knew and set off on a voyage to America. Of those millions, most would live fairly anonymous lives; a few would do great things and receive due attention in history books. Adriaen van der...
Preface
Download PDF (59.6 KB)
pp. xvii-xx
In a perfect world there would be no need for translators or their translations. However, acknowledging our imperfect state, we must be prepared to deal not only with thousands of languages but also with the various historical stages in the development of these languages and their dialects. For historic...
Publication History of Adriaen van der Donck’s A Description of New Netherland
Download PDF (194.8 KB)
pp. xxi-xxiv
1655: Adriaen van der Donck, Beschryvinge van Nieuvv Nederlant, (ghelijck het tegenwoordigh in staet is) begrijpende de nature, aert, gelegentheyt en vrucht-baerheyt van het selve lant; mitsgaders de proffijte-lijcke ende gewenste toevallen, die aldaer tot onderhout der menschen, (soo uyt haer selven als van...
The Country
Download PDF (367.1 KB)
pp. 1-72
New Netherland, thus named by the Dutch for reasons we shall give hereafter, is a very beautiful, pleasant, healthy, and delightful land, where all manner of men can more easily earn a good living and make their way in the world than in the Netherlands or any other part of the globe that I know...
Of the Manners and Extraordinary Qualities of the Original Natives of New Netherland
Download PDF (239.1 KB)
pp. 73-114
Having briefly spoken of the attributes of the land as far as needful, it will also be worthwhile to treat in the following the nature of its original natives, so that when the Christians shall have multiplied there, and the Indians melted away, we may not suffer the regret that their manners and customs have...
Of the Nature, Amazing Ways, and Properties of the Beavers
Download PDF (96.4 KB)
pp. 115-126
Under the heading of wildlife in the description of the animals of New Netherland, we left it until later to relate in detail the nature and unusual habits of the beavers. Since we have said as much as we deem necessary of the country and its natives, now is the time to keep our promise. As the beaver is the main...
A Conversation Between a Dutch Patriot and a New Netherlander Concerning the Condition of New Netherland
Download PDF (126.8 KB)
pp. 127-142
Patriot: Sir and friend, I have before now duly read and been told of the natural features of New Netherland, the appearance and ways of its aborigines, and related matters, by which I am satisfied that, then as now, a citizen, farmer, or other private person of whatever condition can do well...
Appendix
Download PDF (60.3 KB)
pp. 143-146
Notes
Download PDF (179.2 KB)
pp. 147-170
Index
Download PDF (71.3 KB)
pp. 171-176
E-ISBN-13: 9780803219397
E-ISBN-10: 0803219393
Page Count: 272
Illustrations: 1 map
Publication Year: 2008
Series Title: The Iroquoians and Their World
