The American Origin Myth-The English were the first who established a foothold in the new world and from there the United States of America had their building blocks to become what it is today. In Russell Shorto’s novel, The Island at the Center of the World, Shorto tells the epic story of the forgotten Dutch Manhattan colony. Shorto makes the claim that it was Dutch Manhattan’s values and motives that are at the core of our modern New York City. Throughout the course of his novel, Shorto successfully proves his claim and disproves the American Origin Myth. It was not the English who were the architects of the future of America, but the Dutch.
Holland was the safe haven of Europe. Those who felt as though they could not practice their religions, or were being persecuted for their studies, or they were just not being accepted in their respected countries escaped to Holland. Holland had tolerance written into their legislation and offered safety to those who felt like they had nowhere to go. “As the “Dutch” emigrated to their New World colony, then, they brought with them not only ready-made mix of cultures but a tolerance of differences…in it’s very seeding, Manhattan was a melting pot”(Shorto 125). When the English took over the Dutch Manhattan colony, they realized it was the tolerance that contributed to the success of the colony as a whole. They did not want to rid this fundamental part of the colony because all would be lost and the English would have to start all over with creating a new colony. There was strength in the essence of diversity and it was undeniable. Tolerance is what led to the growth of the island and great influx of new settlers. Thus, the English had to include it within their renovations of the Dutch colony. Fast forwarding to when America formed, it was the diversity and tolerance that made America stick out amongst the rest of the world. In today’s world, when asking what is an American there is not the simple answer of having only American blood because Americans are made up of all types of races and ethnicities. Instead the answer is, “He is an American, who leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraces”(313). In other words, an American is a person who forgets the intolerance his ancestors held before him and accepts those that his new life presents to him. Even today, New York City is one of the center capitals for tolerance in the world and hub for immigration. Manhattan was the, “Birthplace of the American melting pot”(312) and it only continues to grow with time.
Adriaen van der Donck was given the first ever role of schout when arriving in the Dutch Manhattan colony. A schout is the Dutch word for the position that combines the obligations of a prosecutor and a sheriff. In Dutch society, a schout investigated crimes and did their best to find the culprit and then give the punishment that was deserved. This position offered much power and had to be put in the arms of one who would not abuse it. Van der Donck, a recent graduate from one of the greatest institutions of its time, the University of Leiden, posed a perfect candidate. “After Richard Nicolls took charge of New York and had become familiar with Dutch customs he had allowed the inhabitants to maintain, he found one political office particularly useful”(313). Nicolls had adopted the law officer who also prosecuted cases in the name of the government. The English had never had a role like that in their society; more often than not it was left up to those who were affected by the crime to figure out who did the crime. The English had adopted the position and renamed it a “scout”. In present America and New York, this job is referred to as a “district attorney”. Ironically enough, Adriean van der Donck happens to be listed as one of the first district attorneys of America. “In 1975, Yale law professor A.J Reiss noted, in an article on the history of the office, “The first appearance of public prosecutors in the United States occurred when the Dutch founded the colony of New Netherland”(314).
“The Dutch preferred to set-up military trading posts at strategic spots and let the locals bring trade goods to them. The trading companies did not see themselves in the business of establishing permanent colonies. But New Netherland refused to remain a trading post”(113). New Netherland beginning as a trading post only helped contribute to the economy as a colony. New Netherland was in the prime hub for trading, it allowed for easy access for trading goods to be both imported and exported which were constantly stimulating and growing the commerce systems. When the English took over they realized the strength of the economy that the Dutch had built. They made a point to name Dutch merchants to economic councils to keep ties with the Dutch strong so Newly named New York could be plugged to two of the greatest trading empires in the world. In fact, the Articles of Capitulation noted that all trade would be unrestricted because of what a key part of the economical influence the colony held. These characteristics of the Dutch turned English colony, “[Helped] set Manhattan on course as a place of openness and free trade [in present-day New York City]”(310).
The Dutch colonies are at fault for other commonalities in present-day America and even the rest of the world. The idea of a boss, who orders you around and angers you to no end, originated and developed in the Dutch colony. The big, jolly, red-suit wearing Santa Claus was first longed for by American children. Cookies and Cole slaw are foods that the Dutch gave to us which became regulars in our diets. Event the street names of present day New York City has Dutch origin. For instance, Wall Street was given the name Wall Street because of the wall the Dutch had built to protect from invaders. Dutch had not only provided insight economically, legally, and diversely but also set the stage for customs to develop in America.
Overall, Russell Shorto presents a compelling argument supporting the less popular view, that the Dutch were the reason our New York City and our America are they way they are. Shorto provides evidence that the diversity, economy, and legal systems are not brought to us by the English who “created America” but were really brought to us by those who actually shaped America. The Dutch engineered the lives we live today are the reason why we live in one of the greatest countries in the world and we are indebted to them.