Kieft and the Indians, 1643-44 .-- The worst of the early Dutch governors was William Kieft (Keeft).

He was a bankrupt and a thief, who was sent to New Netherland in the hope that he would reform.

At first he did well and put a stop to the smuggling and cheating which were common in the colony.

Emigrants came over in large numbers, and everything seemed to be going on well when Kieft's brutality brought on an Indian war that nearly destroyed the colony.

The Indians living near New Amsterdam sought shelter from the Iroquois on the mainland opposite Manhattan Island.