Old New York and New Amsterdam

Myths and legends of the Great City

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When our old New York was a new Amsterdam. Says Charles Goering - historian, director of the US -Niderland Society. Author and presenter Marina Efimova. For the first time on the air of May 13, 1997.

Marina Efimova : In May, the year of New York began in America, because the centenary of the moment when this dragon has absorbed all the surrounding towns, making them its own areas or the Boil, which in Gollandic means the city. But, speaking of the history of New York, we will have to whether we want it or do not want to start this from another city, not from the capital of the world, but from the capital of a small Dutch colony, which was called the new Amsterdam and ruled by Governor Peter Styvest. This is how his historian describes, director of the American-Niderland Society Charles Gering.

Charles Herring : Styvesant was the governor in the immodest, unstable period of history. During this time, two Anglo-Council wars passed, so in America the Dutch colony was constantly under the threat of an attack by the British. More precisely, from the side of his eastern neighbor, the English colony of New England. And the merit of Stoyvesta is that he held these lands under the rule of Holland for 12 years. He was deeply devoted to the Netherlands, the Dutch church and ancient customs. Styvesant enjoyed such respect and trust in his homeland that he was the governor of our present New York for 17 years - the longest term of governorship in the entire history of the state.

Marina Efimova : It was a characteristic given by scientists. We now listen to the writer Washington Irving, the author of the famous Nickerboker “history of New York”, and even, strictly speaking, not his, but the contemporary of Governor Styvest, a certain Mr. Nickerboker, whose manuscript, supposedly, the Great American prose writer and Russian translator Ravinsky treated the eyelids.

“Simply,“ It’s easy to say that Peter Styvest was a hero, it means nothing to say. He was truly a combination of heroes, for he had a strong, lean physique, like Ajax Telomon, stooped shoulders, for which Hercules would give his skin (I mean the lion's skin), and the power of the voice that sounded like a barrel. She benefited from an accidental advantage, which, to my surprise, neither Homer nor Virgil endowed any of their heroes, although it costs all the miserable scratches mentioned in the Iliad and Odyssey.

And he was proud of this foot so that he even ordered gracefully inlaid it with silver. He said that he appreciates her more than all other limbs combined

This was nothing more than a terrible wooden leg - the only reward, deserved by him in battles for the homeland. And he was proud of this foot so that he even ordered gracefully inlaid it with silver. He said that he appreciates her more than all other limbs taken together. "

Marina Efimova : So, Styvest held the colony of new Netherlands in the hands of the old 12 years. But what was it worth it! Not only the British from Connecticut and Rod Island, but also other warlike neighbors, from New Sweden, for example, the current Delaware, approached the borders of the colony to Manhattan. And when they captured one of the Dutch fortifications, the fort cashmere, the Dutch governor decided to give the Swedes a lesson. He approached his gallery on the Delaware River to the Swedish Fort Christine, and threw all his army to storm.

Anthony Van Corlear trumpets in honor of Peter Styvesant. 1839. John Quidor (1801-1881)

“ Announcer :“ The Styvesant, who had already earned the nickname of a hard -headed Pete, was followed by the faithful squire of Anthony Van Corlear with his famous pipe, which he seduced girls from all the colonies. Then they went over, Van Vayki, Van Dami and Ten Euki, Van Hossena and Van Gissena, Van Vinkley and Van Damma, Vanderbilta and Van Dermon Wanders, hoppertons and nickelboxes, there were ten -nickname and hard workers and a bunch of heroes with intricate names. The storms were waiting for the trees under the cover of the trees, until the Dutch rose to the middle of the hill, and then they gave such a deafening volley that the streams were spinning from the rocks, which all the Dutch are there, without a doubt And decided the outcome of the battle. "

Marina Efimova : I asked Charles Goering, how much is the description of the history of New York Washington Irving close to the real story of the new Amsterdam and his Governor Styvest?

Charles Herring : In Irving, many close friends were Dutch. His "History of New York", written by a fictional Dutchman Nickerboker, is not only a satire for the Dutch period of New York history, but also a cartoon for Dutch customs, character, and prejudice. His book never claimed an accurate description of history, but it became one of the main entertainment of her time. Washington Irving was perhaps the most talented American writer of the early 19th century.

Marina Efimova : After the battle with the Swedes, as after many other similar battles, the governor invariably returned to the Hudson to the new Amsterdam in a victorious mood.

“Believe me, gentlemen, the paintings that presented the crew of Peter Styvesant ’s galleys, were far from those that can be seen in our degenerate time. Completeless and wild reigned on the banks of a mighty river, the hand of civilization has not yet destroyed dark forests and did not soften landscapes.

Here the galler runs along the foot of New Jersey rocks. They rise as an indestructible wall from water to heaven. If you believe legend, they were created in ancient times by a powerful spirit of manita

Here the galler runs along the foot of New Jersey rocks. They rise as an indestructible wall from water to heaven. If you believe the legend, they were created in ancient times by a powerful spirit of Manita. They were an extensive dungeon, in the rocky bowels of which Manita enclosed the rebellious spirits dissatisfied with his power. Finally, the proud Hudson, in his uncontrollable running to the ocean, broke their prison and triumphantly rolled his waves among its grandiose ruins. "

Marina Efimova : While Peter the hard -headed beat Swedes, Novoamsterdams hit politics. In many hours of meetings, instead of gratitude, they continuously criticized the governor. In his History, Irving writes:

“How strange! Politics, in which everyone apparently understands perfectly, is inevitably in bad hands. Styvesant was different, however, a tendency to manage a colony without the help of his subjects. Returning, he first restored order. One evening, waiting for the enlightened residents in a crowded gathering listened to the patriotic speech of an inspired sapoline, Peter, Peter, just like a drink. His great namesake, suddenly appeared among those present with such an expression on the face, which could be thrown into the millstone. Do your job, otherwise I will take your skin on your boots alive! ”

Peter Styvesant. Graver Thomas Gimbrede, 1826, New York Public Library

Marina Efimova : “The accepted measure had an action,” Irving writes further, “but the people cooled to Peter. He was accused of aristocratic manners and sometimes not without reason. It was in his time that family pride and boasting of wealth appeared, which later reached such a regretted hey in our city. So writes Irving. We give the word historical truth.

Charles Goering : Now the history of the board of Styvest is known day after day, and we know that he was, as they say, fair, but strict. That he was a wise and confident man in his decisions, so confident that he was considered adamant. He was often accused of intransigence and inflexibility, since he always preferred to follow the letter of the law or charter. But the hard -headed Peter was an absolutely and categorically incorruptible person. I think he was one of the most honest governors of New York.

Marina Efimova : For the sake of justice, it must be said that the reign of the hard -headed Peter was fun. The governor firmly believed that on Saturdays and on holidays, a poor worker should rest and have fun until you drop. Therefore, he in every possible way encouraged the device of crowded holidays and folk entertainment. The New Year's offensive was announced by a bell ringing and shots of guns. Each baker was obliged to add the thirteenth bun to the bought dozen for the poor - for the poor. Each house became the hospitable temple of the God of Fun - the oceans of cherry spinning, real Dutch juniper vodka and hot cider with spices poured. So all the poor in the city were eaten and got drunk to half death - out of pure savings, so that it was enough until the next holiday.

Announcer : "It was nice to look at the valiant Peter, when he was sitting on the Saturday evenings among the old burghers on the overgrown grass of the city battery, which became a place of festivities. He approvingly nodded to the dancers, and sometimes from a clean heart kissed a cheerful beauty that re -outstanding their rims."

Marina Efimova : By the way, this is a place that is now called Batter Park, and has remained a place for city festivities. Is there anything else in New York since St. Petersburg Styvesant?

Charles Goering : Yes, but, mainly, underground. A few years ago, on Perl Street in Manhattan, archaeologists dug up the ranins of the town hall of 300 years ago. The name of the Dutch farmer Martin Demerest is named Gorodok near New York, where his house of construction was preserved in the mid-17th century. And mostly - only traces of that time. For example, the Brooklyn bridge is built in accordance with the ferry route, which in those days went between Manhattan and Brooklyn, transporting passengers and cattle. The famous school in Manhattan is called Styvesant-Skul. But few people remember who it is. Well, the names that, of course, have long forgotten that they are Dutch. For example, Grammersi - from the Dutch "winding stream." The widest place of the Hudson is called Tappan Zee, "Zee" is a Gollandic sea. And how many Dutch names are left in the history of New York and, in general, America. First of all, of course, Roosevelt, whose name in Gollandic means "Rose Field". I'm not talking about Santa Claus, who is a nee Dutchman. In a word, in New York, wherever you find something Dutch.

View from Hudson to Batteri Park. New York. Photo by Sergey Gusev

Marina Efimova : Of course, the delightful short stories of Washington Irving “Rip Van Winkle” and “Legend of the Sental Valley”, or rather, “The Legend of the Sleep Valley”, where the appetizing, benevolent and picturesque new Holland is so painful, are recalled.

Charles Goering : “The Legend of the Sleep Valley” is also interesting in that Irving captured the difference in the approach to the life of the Dutch, who are inert, satisfied with their lives, are satisfied with themselves and grateful to the Lord for what they have, and the New English Connecttician Yankees, who always want more than what they have. This discrepancy between the two national characters and two lifestyles began already with Styvesant, and reached extreme tension during the time of Washington Irving.

Marina Efimova : That's what it is about!

Announcer : “It was not a month without the fact that the small Dutch settlements near the border were not alarmed by the unexpected appearance of a crowd of invoices from Connecticut. Usually these were gangs of long -legged thin scammers with axes and bales behind their backs, firmly decided to improve the country contrary to the desire of its owners.

Usually these were gangs of long -legged thin scammers with axes on their shoulders and bales behind their backs, firmly decided to improve the country contrary to the desire of its owners

It is remarkable that wherever these cunning aliens from the east were settled, honest and sluggish Dutchmen gradually disappeared from there, slowly retreating, like the Indians in front of the whites, for they completely could not stand the chatty, irritable, unusual merchant dimensions of their new neighbors. "

Marina Efimova : Be that as it may, Governor Peter Styvesant and his faithful squire Anthony Van Corlear went to negotiations in Connecticut. They rode along the quiet picturesque Connecticut River through the towns and villages of the Yankees, where they were waiting, reports Irving, deprivation and trouble. They were caught up with tops with a dozen landowners with annoying questions about prices in New Amsterdam, then a crowd of deacons attacked, requiring the payment of five shillings for traveling on Sunday. Not to mention the fact that women constantly detained Anthony, forcing him to play on the pipe. One word is enemy territory. And during the negotiations with the Connecticum Assembly, Styvesant suddenly received information from private hands that the squadron with the task of conquering the colony of new Netherlands had departed from the shores of England. It is easy to imagine how the old warrior was angry, seeing that he had trapped. His rage was so great that, according to legend, he tried to enter into a secret conspiracy with the Indians.

Charles Goring : A lot of rumors went about this, weapons of slander poured on Styvesant. But historians failed to find a trace of real evidence of such a transaction. In general, there were many such stories, but it was all the work of private individuals who hired the Indians, sold them weapons and the like. Peter Styvesant was not involved in this.

Marina Efimova : The last head of the Nickerboker History of New York is opened by a curious reasoning about the consequences of all aggression on the example of the history of the new Netherlands.

Announcer : “Having betrayed the Novonizerland Fort Kashmere, the Swedes brought to their heads the revenge of Peter Styvesant, who took the whole new Sweden from them. The conquest of the new Sweden Styvesant resurrected the old claims of the UK, and that conquered the new Netherlands. Soon and the whole of North America became the possession It is powerful that they managed to lose its yoke and turned into an independent state.

Marina Efimova : “When a messenger of the governor with the news of the upcoming attack of the British was dominated by the new Amsterdam, the residents of the city resorted to their beloved remedy - popular assemblies. If we believe the traditions and Washington Irving, the question was mainly discussed: is it possible and reasonably destroying the UK? Two songs in which the English were ruthlessly pounded. But the mood was puzzled. The inhabitants have changed when two proud English frigates anchored in the city harbor. The returning Peter Styvesant gloomily looked at them from the roof of his house. The governor to surrender to the mercy of the British, but Peter Styvest decided to defend the city at all costs.

“ Announcer :“ They promised everyone who obeyed the authorities of the British king, to allow them to possess their home, wife and garden with cabbage, smoking a tube, talking in Gollandic, carry as many pants as Dutch fashion, and still import pots from Holland instead of producing them in place. And, most importantly, they would not require him to read other holes, he will not need to read other holy. In addition to Santa Claus, which will continue to be officially considered the patron saint of the city. "

Marina Efimova : On the eve of the appointed day of siege, a crowd of residents, led by burgomstra, came to Styvesant with a petition, asking him to pass the city. It is no longer in the satirical “history” of Irving, but in the documentary book of Anna and Russell Krause, it is said that the old warrior looked at the petition and saw that the first on the list of the signed was the name of his 18-year-old son Baltazar Styvest.

... the old warrior looked at the petition and saw that the first on the list of the signers was the name of his 18-year-old son Baltazar Styvesant

Only then, barely restraining his tears, did the governor sign a document on surrender. Mr. Goering, how did it happen that the brave, proud Peter Styvesant surrendered the city without a fight?

Charles Goering : Here we must take into account that at that time the Dutch were not at war with England, this was just a period between the two wars. So the city was not ready for defense, the defenders would not have enough ammunition. There was another danger. There were a lot of British on the territory of the Dutch colony. В день осады Стайвесанту донесли, что толпы мародеров из англичан скопились у всех паромов, чтобы начать грабить Манхэттен при первых звуках выстрелов. Словом, он пошел на переговоры и открыл город. Так что это была неожиданная атака и все произошло во время перемирия.

Марина Ефимова : Итак, 7 сентября 1664 года город стал английским. По Ирвингу, жители Нового Амстердама, хоть и подавленные собственным конформизмом, все же вели себя с достоинством и приняли единогласное решение: ни в коем случае не приглашать оккупантов к обеду. Что касается Питера Стайвесанта, то он удалился в свое имение, которое он называл фермой, по-голландски - "баури", и до самой смерти ни разу не приезжал в город. В доме его кресло всегда стояло так, чтобы город не был виден из окна, и он даже вырастил небольшую рощицу, заслонявшую городской вид. На месте, где когда-то была ферма "баури" побывала наш корреспондент Рая Вайль.

Рая Вайль : На том месте, где похоронен Питер Стайвесант, стоит без малого уже 200 лет епископальная церковь Святого Марка. Это Ист-Виллидж, угол 2 авеню и 10 улицы, один из приятнейших районов Манхэттена – тихо, зелено, река в двух кварталах.

Пат Томпсон (главный администратор церкви): Когда-то это все были владения Стайвесанта. Он купил на Ист-Сайде землю, от самой нижней точки восточного Манхэттена вплоть до нынешней 14 стрит, основал ферму, а через 10 лет построил на ней каменную часовню, ставшую основанием церкви Святого Марка. Старожилы и поныне называют этот район Баури-Фарм.

Рая Вайль : Более 200 лет назад часовню с прилегающей к ней территорией пожертвовал епископальной церкви правнук Стайвесанта Петрус. Во дворе церкви Святого Марка - небольшое кладбище. Здесь покоятся члены семьи Питер Стайвесанта и некоторые знаменитые ньюйоркцы. Мы останавливаемся у памятника Питеру Стайвесанту. Небольшой бронзовый бюст подарен ньюйоркцам в начале прошлого века королевой Нидерландов. Многие считают, что здесь и находится его могила. На самом деле он погребен под одной из церковных стен. В главном приделе церкви Святого Марка просторно и светло, до блеска натертый паркетный пол, изумительной красоты виражи в два яруса и больше ничего. На одном из нижних витражей изображен сам Питер Стайвесант. Пат считает, что именно здесь, под этим виражом, находится могила бывшего губернатора.

Пат Томпсон : Нижние витражи – оригинальные, они украшали еще старую часовню, а верхние, кстати, тоже очень красивые - сравнительно недавние, они были установлены лет 20 назад после пожара, чуть не разрушившего всю церковь.

Рая Вайль : Тут надо пояснить, что церковь Святого Марка является организатором и спонсором многих культурах программ. Как отнесся бы к этому Питер Стайвесант, человек, как известно, необычайно строгих религиозных нравов?

Пат Томпсон : Мы часто задаем себе тот же вопрос. Существует легенда, что его дух и поныне здесь обитает, и каждый раз в новогоднюю ночь он обходит свои владения, проверяя, что нового произошло у нас за год. Надеюсь, ему нравится то, что мы делаем.

Марина Ефимова : Питер Стайвесант умер в феврале 1672 года так и не простив свой город. Но город сам к нему пришел.

Диктор : "Ему устроили величественные похороны. Город совершенно опустел, жители шли толпами отдать последний долг своему верному губернатору. Многие старые бюргеры, чьи флегматичные лица никогда не смягчались, теперь задумчиво попыхивали трубками и большие слезы скатывались по их щекам".

Марина Ефимова : Бюргеры все еще испытывали угрызения совести за то, что предали своего губернатора и отказались защищать Нью-Амстердам. Хотя они не могли пожаловаться на английское правление. Честно говоря, захватив город, англичане совершили всего один насильственный акт: они переименовали Нью-Амстердам в Нью-Йорк.