Four hundred years ago the coast of New Jersey was mainly unexplored. Giovanni da Verrazano and Henry Hudson had sailed along it, but what lay beyond the white, sandy beaches was still a question mark. The English, who settled Jamestown in 1607, were mainly interested in finding quick riches in gold and silver, but thanks to the voyage of Hudson in 1609, the Dutch would come to the New World looking for furs. This meant that the Dutch colony would be settled by merchants interested in trading with the native population and looking for trade routes to the interior.

In March 1614, the Dutch governing body issued, “The States General of the United Netherlands. To all those who shall see these presents or hear them read. Greeting. Be it Known, Whereas We understand it would be honorable, serviceable and profitable to this Country, and for the promotion of its prosperity, as well as for the maintenance of seafaring people, that the good Inhabitants should be excited and…