PREFACE.

MY DEAR NEPHEWS,

I SEND you now some farther conversations which I have had with the children about the history of our own country; and when you print these, I hope that all the little boys and girls in America will be as much pleased with them as the young companions of your old uncle seemed to be while we were talking. We have this time been talking about the History of our own state, NewYork; and I suppose that my young friends were pleased, because we were speaking of many things that occurred upon the very same soil upon which we now walk. At any rate, they seemed happy, and I was contented to amuse and instruct them. I am very glad that they are all so much pleased with the study of history, for it will be a useful pleasure to them. You know, too, that no man is well educated unless he has studied the history of the world, and particularly the history of his own country. So I am delighted that the children are all determined, in this particular, to be well educated.

You may tell all the little readers of our conversations that a great many other children now come to see me, and that some of my visiters are larger boys than those who used to come; and you must tell the little fellow who sent you the letter begging that I would talk about the Whale Fishery, that I have done so, and that you will soon near from me again; and perhaps I may send you some of those conversations. Farewell, from

your

Newtown, January 30, 1835.

UNCLE PHILIP.

CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

CONVERSATION I.

Uncle Philip tells the Children about Henry Hudson-His Dis-

covery of New-York-His Return to England-Afterward

how he perished in a small boat at sea.

CONVERSATION II.

Page 13

Uncle Philip tells the Children how the Dutch bought land of

the Indians-Explains to them the use of Money-Talks of

the "Licensed Trading West India Company"-Of Adrian

Blok and Hendrick Christraanse-Tells of the first two Forts

that the Dutch built in New-York

CONVERSATION III.

30

Uncle Philip tells the Children of the English claim to New-

Netherland-Captain Mey comes to the Country-Two new

Forts built-Arrival of Peter Minuit, first Governor of New-

Netherland-Settlement of the Waaloons

CONVERSATION IV.

44

Uncle Philip tells the Children of the Charter in favour of

Patroons-First arrival of Van Twiller-De Vriez's Colony at

South river-English Claim to that River-Murder of De

Vriez's colony by the Indians

CONVERSATION V.

69

Uncle Philip tells the Children how De Vriez returns and finds

his colony murdered-Van Twiller is made second Governor

-After him, Kieft, third Governor of New-Netherland-Diffi-

culties with the English.

81

CONVERSATION VI.

Uncle Philip tells the Children of Peter Stuyvesant, the last

Dutch Governor of New-Netherland--How he reduced the

Swedes on the South river-Troubles with the English-

King Charles II.'s grant to the Duke of York and Albany-

Arrival of Colonel Nicolls and Surrender of New Nether-

land.
Page 90

CONVERSATION VII.

Uncle Philip tells the Children of Governor Nicolls and Gov-

ernor Lovelace-Then talks of Anthony Colve, who was

Governor for a short time-Tells of Sir Edmund Andros, and

the manner in which he punished a man named John Man-

ning-After him of Governor Dongan-Also talks of Lord de

la Barre, and Marquis de Nonville, the French Governor in

Canada
. 101

CONVERSATION VIII.

Uncle Philip tells the Children of Lieutenant-governor Nichol-

son-How he was forced to leave the Colony, when a man

named Leisler became Governor-Tells the manner in which

Indians assist their memories in making Treaties-Talks of

the War between the English Colony and the French under

the Governor of Canada, Count Frontenac-Massacre at

Schenectady. .

117

CONVERSATION IX.

Uncle Philip talks to the Children about Governor Sloughter-

Tells of the Trial and Execution of Leisler and Milborne-

Talks of Richard Ingolsby, who was President for a short

time-Talks about Governor Fletcher-Tells the Children

something about General Schuyler, who was very much be-

loved by the Indians-Count Frontenac attacks the Mohawks

-Driven back by Schuyler-Sufferings of the Armies

134