Rensselaerswyck Adriaen van der Donck

in 1641, van der donck sailed new world aboard den eykenboom (the oak tree). impressed land, which, in contrast netherlands, thickly forested, hilly, , full of wildlife. once in post, attracted ire of van rensselaer independence. manifested first when schout selected 1 of patroon s finest stallions himself , decided appointed farm poorly chosen , picked site.

the patroon expected van der donck s primary concern colony s profit rather colonists welfare. according van rensselaer, duty seek advantage , protect me against loss. consist of cracking down on black market , catching ran away before service contracts expired. instead, van der donck ignored van rensselaer s orders when told collect late rent not pay, protested colonists not swear binding oaths of loyalty on behalf of servants, , began organizing improvements various mills , construction of brickyard. van rensselaer s letters indicate became increasingly frustrated schout s behavior, chiding him, beginning have acted not officer director.

in employer s eyes, van der donck spent disturbing amount of time exploring surroundings. during these excursions, learned great deal land , inhabitants, neglecting duties schout in eagerness observe , document as new land. met local indians, such mahicans , mohawks, ate food, , became adept @ language. van der donck recorded customs, beliefs, medicine, political structure, , technology in objective , detailed way.

unsatisfied in post , realizing potential of land, van der donck began use contacts amongst indians negotiate land in catskills, wanted found own colony. when van rensselaer learned van der donck sought acquire neighboring land own, snapped first. van der donck s contract schout not renewed when term expired in 1644.