The Relation of M^r Garrott Vansweeringen of the
City of S^t Maries concerning his knowledge ot the
Seating of Delaware Bay and River to the Southward
of the 40^th Degree Northern Latitude by the Dutch
and Sweedes (vizt)

In the year 1648 the Dutch haveing had bad successes in
the North River from whome they had bin driven by the New
England men They resolved to looke towards the South and
haveing information of that River otherwayes called Delaware
formerly bought by one Manheer Godin from the Indians a
Sloop was fitted out with some Cargoo to Trade with the said
Indians of that River They Landed first at a place called by
the Indians Sisouestinqud where they found out a Creeke
Navigable for a sloop, as I was informed by those that had
been acquainted with these men that Landed there.
Those men or traders came a Shoare with their goods where
they traded with the Indians and frequenting soe much with
the Indian women till they gott the Country dutyes otherwise
called the Pox and soe they named that place the Whorekill.
That is in English the whores Creeke, whereupon they returned
home and ventured againe a second time with a Considerable
Cargoe but remembring (as I suppose) how they had been
served at the Whorekill, they went some ten or twelve miles
higher where they Landed againe and traded with the Indians
trusting the Indians to come into their Stores a Shoare, and
likewise aboard of their sloope drinking and debauching with
the Indians till they were all at last barborously murdered and
so that place was Christined with their blood and to this day
called the Murderers Kill that is Murders Creeke
About the year 1650: as neere as I can guesse they made a
third voyage into the River of Delaware and there cast anchor
at a point neere the mouth of delaware River called Bointges
Creeke but misliking that place they went higher up and cast
Anchor at the sand point now called Newcastle there they per-
ceived some foure or five English families were seated about
Nine miles Lower on the East side of the River called Elsing-
burgh which Englishmen were supposed to come from Mary-
land or Virginia.

P. R. O.

Colonial

Papers.