The Quiet Dutch Colonial Influence
New Amsterdam’s Contributions to American Culture and Society
Nov 15, 2007
In America today, any test taken on Colonial New York only requires three points of knowledge. First, an Englishman, Henry Hudson, discovered it (never mind that he was working for the Dutch) in 1609. Secondly, some enterprising Dutchman bought (stole) Manhattan from the natives for $24. Third, it didn't really amount to much as a colony until another Englishman, the Duke of York, took over. What is found when taking a closer look at these Dutch years in Manhattan is that they have had much more influence on American life than we have learned in our Anglo-centric history books.
The Art of the Deal
While that famous $24 dollar price tag for the most valuable piece to real estate in the world seems unbelievable, it is important to note that this figure is quoted from the 19th century and is apples to todays oranges. Valued at 60 Guilders in Dutch currency, it was half a year’s wages for a Dutch soldier. It is also significant to remember that the Dutch only inhabited this "wilderness" island, from present-day Wall St. south. Finally, it must be understood that in every early transaction of this kind with the Native Americans, the initial amount was only considered a down payment on a future defensive services mortgage. In all actuality, these colonists paid a very heavy price. Many times they made their mortgage payments with their lives while defending their Native American bankers whose deed always came with a perpetual right of way assigned to the seller.
America’s First District Attorney
Another Dutch contribution to the American identity is a little known attorney named Adriaen Van der Donck. In 1641, after graduating with a degree in Roman-Dutch law from Leiden University, he took a job as the American Sherriff and “District” attorney for the Van Rensselaer family on their feudal holdings near Fort Orange (Albany, NY). This young attorney had been educated in all of the liberty and political freedom of Holland's values and soon tired of being a rich man’s rubber law stamp. He decided to head south to Manhattan. He soon became embroiled in local politics there and gave America its first written declaration against tyranny. He organized a petition, which he eventually argued himself before the High and Mighty court in Amsterdam, for the removal of the corporate governor, Peter Stuyvesant. In his place, Van der Donck almost succeeded in placing a republican government that would have been a full member of the Dutch Republic. The only reminder of his valiant effort is a city named for the man who began the first farm there. The place became known as The Squires or in the Dutch vernacular “Jonkheer’s (Yonkers) Farm”.
Santa Claus, Cookies, Cole Slaw and the Boss
Several other pieces of “Americana” originated in New Amsterdam. The Sinter Klaas celebration of gift giving would have died a cruel death at Puritan hands if not for the religious eclecticism that the Dutch brought to their little colony. Americans eat cookies today in rather then English biscuits because the Dutch baked their great tasting mini-cakes called koekje. Cole slaw might not be in the basket dish at most American Diners if it was not preserved and propagated as koolsla. Finally, Americans have the Manhattan Dutch to blame when we need to (or make a national sport of) complaining about our boss, whose endearing title came from the Dutch word for overseer or baas!
Read much more about this in Russel Shorto's book, sighted as a source.
Source
The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto, 2004, Doubleday
 |
