Was Van Den Boegart A Success Or A Failure

The Dutch’s approach to relations with the indigenous during the colonization of New England posed significant setbacks and challenges. Locked in fierce competition with the French when conducting trade deals with the Iroquois, the Dutch are currently losing the battle. Trade between countries and indigenous groups during this time was crucial for the longevity of their colonies to ensure they would succeed in the future. Van Den Bogaert, a barber-surgeon, an individual who helps the sick, voluntarily goes on an expedition in an attempt to restore trade. A man with such an occupation should not be leading such an important expedition since the potential failure of this expedition could lead to dire consequences for the colony of New Netherland.
In the winter of 1634, the Fort Orange commander orders Van Den Bogaert and two Dutchmen to set out on an expedition to reestablish trade with the Iroquois. In addition, the Dutch knew the importance of the expedition because if the expedition was a failure, it would lead to the possibility of the Iroquois trading more than before with the French leading to the demise of Fort Orange and the Dutch West India Company ceasing investment in New Netherland. Along the expedition into Oneida and Mohawk Country, Bogaert documented in his journal the various communities, their languages and customs he learned, and gained access to their homes by invitation. Over the course of Bogaert’s expedition, it became evident that this poorly assembled expedition was failing at securing more trade with the Iroquois. Throughout the expedition, the lack of knowledge of their colony and lack of experience in trading defined the
The Iroquois expect gifts since it symbolizes respect and alliance between groups of people, which was crucial for the Dutch in establishing trade with the Iroquois. In addition, Bogaert learns of the merchandise and goods the French have traded with the Iroquois such as good timber axes, French coats, shirts, and razors but has nothing to counter what the French have traded. In other communities, when chiefs ask Bogaert and the expedition to stay, so they can hunt for various animals, most times Bogaert declines and moves to the next community. When the Indians ask Bogaert for something, he refuses or does not perform the request to move on. One example is when the Indians asked him to shoot his gun and Bogaert refused. Bogaert writes: “They repeatedly shouted: “Allese Rondade” i.e. The “Shoot” is on the way! However, we did not want to shoot” (Bogaert 6). This refusal by Bogaert to participate or demonstrate activities did not help create any shared interests or bonds between the expedition and the