New Netherland Company facts for kids
The New Netherland Company (called Nieuw-Nederland Compagnie in Dutch) was a special group of Dutch business people. They got a charter (a special permission document) from their government. This charter gave them the only right to trade in a new area of North America.
About the New Netherland Company
After Henry Hudson explored the east coast of North America in 1609, Dutch merchants saw a chance. They wanted to trade with the Native Americans living there. Their main goal was to trade for valuable furs. They also hoped to find the Northwest Passage, a sea route through North America.
To make the most money, these merchants decided to work together. They formed the New Netherland Company. On October 11, 1614, they asked the Estates-General (the Dutch government) for a special trading permission.
What the Company Did
The government agreed and gave them a monopoly (the only right) to trade. This meant no other Dutch company could trade in that area. The trading area was between the 40th and 45th parallel north. This is roughly from modern-day Philadelphia to Maine.
This special right lasted for three years, starting on January 1, 1615. But in 1618, the company's charter was not renewed. This was because plans were already being made for a much bigger company, the Dutch West India Company.
After 1618, anyone could trade in New Netherland. However, most of the trade was still done by the people who started the New Netherland Company. This continued until the larger Dutch West India Company was officially created in 1621.
Who Started the Company?
Many important merchants from Dutch cities helped create the New Netherland Company. Most of them were from Amsterdam and Hoorn.
- Jonas Witsen (Amsterdam)
- Simon Morissen (Amsterdam)
- Hans Hongers (Amsterdam)
- Paulus Pelgrom (Amsterdam)
- Lambrecht van Tweenhuyzen (Amsterdam)
- Arnolt van Lybergen (Amsterdam)
- Wessel Schenck (Amsterdam)
- Hans Claessen (Amsterdam)
- Berent Sweertssen (Amsterdam)
- Peter Clementsen Brouwer (Hoorn)
- John Clementsen Kies (Hoorn)
- Cornelis Volckertsen (Hoorn)
