Metropolis for a trifle

When Peter Minuit bought Manhattan from the Indians in 1626, he gave them goods worth 60 guilders: a bargain price. On the island, New Amsterdam rose up, now New York. It became a flourishing city in the colony of Nieuw Nederland, until the English conquest in 1664. The beaver skins bought from the Indians were very popular in Europe where they were used to make splendid hats. We see Nieuw Amsterdam here, from the sea. It resembles a Zuider Zee town. As so often happened the artist embellished the original. For example, in reality the mill was very run down and had just two sails.