Dutch  Government  control  of  these  shores,  and  it  in-
duced people  to  come  here. The  thought  of  the  com-
pany was — what  ?  To  plant  free  institutions  here  and
get  glory  to  the  Dutch  flag  ?  While  it  was  that  in  part,
yet  it  was  still  more  to  get  something  for  their  own
profit — a  selfish  enterprise  at  the  bottom. Look  at  our
seal  !  What  is  there  ennobling  about  it  ?  What  senti-
ment that  inspires  ISew  Netherland  to  grand  deeds?
The  most  there  is  to  New  Netherland's  seal  is  the  pic-
ture of  a  poor  lump  of  a  beaver,  and  around  him  is  a
row  of  something  like  beads  of  wampum,  as  if  to  tie  and
strangle  him,  and  above  is  a  big  crown,  as  if  to  come
down  and  smother  him. What  sentiment  is  there  gen-
erous and  ennobling  ?  And,  brother  burghers,  what  is
there  that  is  inspiring  in  all  the  Dutch  West  India  Com-
pany's course  ?  The  company  wished  to  see  how  many
skins  of  beaver,  otter,  and  other  creatures  the  colonists
might  get,  and  they  sell  to  the  company,  and  the  com-
pany make  all  it  could  out  of  the  trade. They  have
given  us  protection  to  protect  their  interests,  that  they
might  save  their  money  bags."

"  Hold  thou,  Isak,  hold  thou  just  there  one  moment !"
interposed  Adam,  pulling  out  his  pipe  and  slowly  wav-
ing his  hand. "  If  any  one  ought  to  know,  it  is  Isak
Wyckoff ;  but  I  do  think  when  the  Dutch  West
India  Company  was  established,  in  1621,  there  was  a
sincere  love  for  Holland's  glory  actuating  it. The
States- General  of  Holland  gave  it  much  power,  and  I


THE    COMING    OF   THE    EXGLISH. 335

think  it  was  sincerely  desirous  to  use  that  power  in  start-
ing colonies,  in  encouraging  Dutch  trade,  in  crushing
out  pirates,  and  if  we  could  do  it,  we  would  humble
Spain. Was  not  that  so  ?  I  allow  human  nature  came
in  to  get  its  share  of  profit,  if  possible."

Hans  grinned  when  Adam  unexpectedly  made  this
declaration,  for,  as  a  rule,  Isak  was  an  oracle  from  whose
statements  no  appeal  could  be  made. He  had  a  way
also  that  helped  him. 