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 MINUIT, Peter (1580-1638), German-American, Dutch colonial
governor in America, born in Wesel, Germany. In 1625 he went to the Netherlands. Appointed a director of the Dutch West India Co., he set out for the company's settlement in America. He reached Manhattan
Island in 1626 and purchased it from the Indians with trinkets valued at the amount of 60 guilders, or about $24. Because of differences with the company, he was recalled in 1631. In 1637 he set out to form a
Swedish colony in America and in 1638 built Fort Christina (now Wilmington, Del.). |
