Knickerbocker's History of New York by Washington Irving

 

BOOK REVIEW Five Stars

Knickerbocker's History of New York by Washington Irving

Written when New York was still New Amsterdam, this seventeenth century philosophic author with his extensive treasure trove of adjectives depicts early colonization along the Hudson River where peace and harmony with the Indians still prevailed. Laced with archaic spelling and old Dutch axioms makes for a good look back into an evolving history that formed one of the building blocks of America's original thirteen colonies.

Excerpts:

The question which has thus suddenly arisen is, What right had the first discoverers of America to land and take possession of a country without first gaining the consent of its inhabitants, or yielding them an adequate compensation for their territory? “a question which has withstood many fierce assaults, and has given much distress of mind to multitudes of kind hearted folk. And, indeed, until it be totally vanquished, and put to rest, the worthy people of America can by no means enjoy the soil they inhabit with clear right and title, and quiet, unsullied conscience.

The European worthies who first discovered America clearly entitled to the soil, and not only entitled to the soil, but likewise to the eternal thanks of these infidel savages, for having come so far, endured so many perils by sea and land, and taken such unwearied pains, for no other purpose but to improve their forlorn, uncivilized, and heathenish condition; for having made them acquainted with the comforts of life; for having introduced among them the light of religion; and, finally, for having hurried them out of the world to enjoy its reward!