History of NYC - 1600s

A letter written by merchant Peter Schaghen to directors of the Dutch East India Company stated that Manhattan was purchased for 60 guilders worth of trade.

Much of the symbolism of New York's Official seal is derived from its Dutch roots in the form of New Amsterdam's Official Coat of Arms.

Fort Amsterdam circa 1650. Taken from "De Nieuwe en Onbekende Weireld," by Arnoldus Monatanus, Amsterdam

Illustration of the home of German-born colonist and entrepreneur Jacob Leisler located on "the Strand", or what we know today as Whitehall Street.

An illustrated map displaying early settlements and boundaries of New Amsterdam - a fledgling town occupied by an increasing amount of Dutch settlers.

Earliest known image of New Amsterdam from a copperplate made by Augustyn Heermanns.

Illustration of merchants trading and felling trees along the New York Harbor.

Illustration showing Dutch Colonists attacking indigenous camps on February 25, 1643, killing 120 people, including women and children.

Illustration of Dutch settlers striking up a peace treaty with indigenous communities in order to reduce violence and open up trade.

Illustration of a man posting a notice regarding the building of Wall Street on March 31, 1644, rallying local colonists to join together to build a wall to fend off attacks by natives.

A wall constructed along the city's northernmost boundary, erected back in 1653 between the Hudson and East River to protect the town from marauding tribes.

Illustration of Peter Stuyvesant reaching New Amsterdam after the failure of his predecessor Willem Kieft to build a lasting peace with native communities.

Illustration depicting views of the "Graft", or canal in Broad Street, and the Fish Bridge which once spanned it.

Print shows Peter Stuyvesant with local settlers pleading with him not to open fire on the British who have arrived in warships to claim New Amsterdam for England.

Printed illustration shows Dutch soldiers, lead by Director General Peter Stuyvesant, leaving New Amsterdam after ceding it to the English.

On August 27, 1664, four English frigates sailed into New Amsterdam's harbor and demanded its surrender, eventually convincing Peter Stuyvesant to cede the territory.

Illustration of the old Great Dock near City Hall, one of the primary ports welcoming travelers and merchants to the New York Harbor.

Illustration of a quaint Dutch cottage in a residential section of Manhattan.

Print shows English militia members signing an accord which officially established New York under the dominion of the English crown.

Illustration of New Amsterdam, a small city on Manhattan Island, New-Holland, North America. The image depicts the harbor and multiple ships taking port.

View of the Schoeinge or street piling on the East River shore near present Coenties Slip - the dock and river front to Wall Street

Colorized illustration of pedestrians in front of a Dutch-style house, constructed on the north east corner of Exchange Place & Broad Street.

Illustration of Captain Kidd, a famous Scottish pirate approaching New York's famous Harbor.