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FROM this admirably chosen spot, the Bay of New York appears with
every accessory of beauty. The city itself comes into the left of the
picture to an advantage seen from no other point of view. The flocks of
river-craft scud past in all directions; men-of-war, merchantmen,
steamers, and ferry-boats fill up the moving elements of the panorama;
and far away beyond stretches the broad harbor, with its glassy or
disturbed waters, in all the varieties of ever-changing sea-view. It was
on this side that Hudson, who had felt the hostility of the Manhattan
Indians, found a friendlier tribe, and made his first amicable visit on
shore. The Indian tradition springing from that visit, and describing
the first intoxication they had ever experienced, is extremely
amusing.[1]
“A long time ago, before men with a white skin had ever been seen, some
Indians, fishing at a place where the sea widens, espied something at a
distance moving upon the water. They hurried ashore, collected their
neighbors, who together returned and viewed intensely this astonishing
phenomenon. What it could be, baffled all conjecture. Some supposed it
to be a large fish or animal; others that it was a very big house
floating on the sea. Perceiving it moving towards land, the spectators
concluded that it would be proper to send runners in different
directions to carry the news to their scattered chiefs, that they might
send off for the immediate attendance of their warriors. These arriving
in numbers to behold the sight, and perceiving that it was actually
moving towards them (that is, coming into the river or bay), they
conjectured that it must be a remarkably large house, in which the
Manitto (or Great Spirit) was coming to visit them. They were much
afraid, and yet under no apprehension that the Great Spirit would injure
them. They worshipped him. The chiefs now assembled at York Island, and
consulted in what manner they should receive their Manitto. Meat was
prepared for a sacrifice; the women were directed to prepare the best of
victuals; idols or images were examined and put in order; a grand dance
they thought would be pleasing, and, in addition to the sacrifice, might
appease him, if angry. The conjurers were also set to work to determine
what this phenomenon portended, and what the result would be. To these,
men, women, and children looked up for advice and protection. Utterly at
a loss what to do, and distracted alternately by hope and fear, in this
confusion a grand dance commenced. Meantime fresh runners arrived,
declaring it to be a great house of various colors, and full of living
creatures. It now appeared certain that it was their Manitto, probably
bringing some new kind of game. Others arriving, declared it positively
to be full of people of different color and dress from theirs, and that
one in particular appeared altogether _red_. This then must be the
Manitto. They were lost in admiration; could not imagine what the vessel
was, whence it came, or what all this portended. They are now hailed
from the vessel in a language they cannot understand; they answer by a
shout or yell in their way. The house (or large canoe, as some render
it) stops. A smaller canoe comes on shore, with the red man in it; some
stay by his canoe to guard it. The chiefs and wise men form a circle,
into which the red man and two attendants enter. He salutes them with
friendly countenance, and they return the salute after their manner.
They are amazed at the color and dress of the strangers, particularly
with him who glittering in red wore something (perhaps lace or buttons)
they could not comprehend. He _must_ be the great Manitto, they thought;
but why should he have a _white skin_? A large elegant _hockhack_
(_gourd_; that is, bottle, decanter, etc.) is brought by one of the
supposed Manitto’s servants, from which a substance is poured into a
small cup or glass and handed to the Manitto. He drinks, has the glass
refilled, and handed to the chief near him; he takes it, smells it, and
passes it to the next, who does the same. The glass in this manner is
passed round the circle, and is about to be returned to the red-clothed
man when one of them, a great warrior, harangues them on the impropriety
of returning the cup unemptied. It was handed to them, he said, by the
Manitto, to drink out of as he had. To follow his example would please
him; to reject it might provoke his wrath; and if no one else would, he
would drink it himself, let what would follow,—for it was better for
one even to die than a whole nation to be destroyed. He then took the
glass, smelled at it, again addressed them, bidding adieu, and drank the
contents. All eyes were now fixed on the first Indian in New York who
had tasted the poison which has since affected so signal a revolution in
the condition of the native Americans. He soon began to stagger; the
women cried, supposing him in fits; he rolled on the ground; they bemoan
his fate; they thought him dying. He fell asleep; they at first thought
he had expired, but soon perceived he still breathed. He awoke, jumped
up, and declared he never felt more happy. He asked for more; and the
whole assembly, imitating him, became intoxicated.”
In descending the river, after he had penetrated to Albany, Hudson ran
his little craft ashore at Weehawken; but the ground was a soft ooze,
and she was got off without damage, and proceeded to sea.
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