During the two centuries following their first voyages to America, European nations sponsored numerous explorations in search of the elusive Northwest Passage to the Far East. The English, Spanish, French, Italians and Dutch all participated. It was during this time that an Englishman named Henry Hudson, under the auspices of a Dutch trading company, sought such a route to India.
Sailing into the river that now bears his name, Hudson, in 1609, ushered in an era which placed Holland as England's major competitor to colonize the New World. From the mouth of the Delaware in the south, to the mouth of the Connecticut in the north, and inland along the Hudson River to Albany, Dutch settlers put down their roots. That infusion of Dutch culture has left its mark on that entire territory, especially New York State.
Since Captain Hudson was in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, a trading corporation, the discovery was made on its behalf. As was the custom, the corporation requested a charter from the Estates General, Holland's legislative body, granting them a monopoly to explore and trade in that area between the 40th and 45th parallels. Right of ownership, as claimed by Europeans, was based upon discovery -- European discovery -- of any lands, regardless of occupancy.
After the initial charter expired, it was not renewed, but re-issued to the West India Company, beginning a 50-year period of occupation and emigration. With almost unlimited power, this company could use any available means to make its venture profitable. The primary purpose was not colonization but rather the promotion of their fur trade. To facilitate this process, settlers began to be transported here in 1623 -- starting with thirty Walloon families.
Settlement progressed at a snail's pace since the Dutch were reluctant to leave their homeland. Having enjoyed elements of democratic living and the freedom to practice their religion with minimal interference, there was scant desire to relocate across the ocean. Therefore, in an effort to encourage emigration, the Estates General issued the "Charter of Freedom and Exemption".
From among many of its large stockholders, the charter created patroons who were designated named large landholders within the jurisdiction of the corporation. The company allocated to these patroons large estates in consideration for their transporting fifty families to the territory under their jurisdiction. Each patroon was granted exclusive ownership, indefinitely, of a tract of land for sixteen miles along a navigable river, or eight miles on either side. They were also granted civil and criminal jurisdiction, thus perpetuating vestiges of medieval feudalism.
Besides controlling the judicial process, the patroon exercised power over many aspects of the settlers' lives. He received a tenth of all grains, fruits and other products raised, obtained a rent of $200 a year. He also could call upon all the occupants of the estates for various services -- or they could substitute a cash payment, called a "quit rent".
The patroon did not sell land but granted it by lease, to be held so long as the rent was paid. Some of the rents were as high as one-third to one-half of the produce. Improved leased land -- land with buildings on it -- was turned over to the patroon when the lease expired.
The attempt to perpetuate feudalism along the Hudson ultimately failed. There were however, some spectacularly wealthy patroons. Van Rensselaer, one of the largest stockholders, controlled lands which comprise present-day Albany, Rensselaer and Columbia counties. The Van Cortlandt manor comprised 85,000 acres, the Livingston manor 160,000 acres -- and there were sizable Pelham and Scarsdale estates. Although the patroon method failed, it nevertheless transplanted a system of landed aristocracy, with all its embellishments of feudalism. Even after the Dutch overthrow, the English did not interfere with the system of land tenure implanted by the Dutch. That happened several centuries later, when the anti-rent riots of the 1840s ravaged eastern New York State.
Background Questions:
- Describe geographically the areas settled by the Dutch in the New World.
- What did the Europeans claim as their right of ownership?
- To encourage emigration, what methods were employed by the Estates General?
- Give some examples of successful patroonships.