Financial District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
New Amsterdam Plein: Four
The Purchase
Every reader of history knows the story: Peter Minuit bought Manhattan Island in 1626 from a group of Indians for 60 guilders worth of goods, or as a 19th century historian calculated it, 24 dollars. Of the thousands of transactions in which native Americans sold parcels to Europeans, only one is legend. It’s clear why this sale lodged in the cultural memory: the absurd price. It is the most dramatic illustration of the long process of stripping the natives of their land.
In fact, the Manhattan Indians had no concept of permanent property transfer but saw the agreement more as a treaty of cooperation. The Dutch would be allowed to use the land, but the Indians would remain as well and indeed they did throughout the life of the colony. The so-called purchase price for them was a token of alliance, which Minuet would have understood.
Erected by The Kingdom of The Netherlands. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1626.
Location. 40° 42.131′ N, 74° 0.809′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Financial District. Marker can be reached from State Street near Whitehall Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. New Amsterdam Plein: Five (here, next to this marker); New Amsterdam Plein: Three (here, next to this marker); New Amsterdam Plein: Two (here, next to this marker); New Amsterdam Plein : Six (here, next to this marker); New Amsterdam Plein: Seven (here, next to this marker); New Amsterdam Plein: Eight (here, next to this marker); New Amsterdam Plein: One (here, next to this marker); New Amsterdam Plein: Nine (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. The markers are laid into the ground. "Plein" can be translated as "square".
Also see . . . New Amsterdam Plein and Pavilion. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on February 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 30, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.