Henry Hudson’s Expedition 

Henry Hudson was employed by the Dutch Republic for his third attempt to discover the “Northeast Passage” - a supposedly fast trade route to Asia sailing across the coast of Russia and Scandinavia. On April 4th 1609 he set sail on a ship called the Halfmoon and began his journey his search again only to be stopped by the mighty ice packs in the Arctic. However, this time he decided to sail west to seek a “northwest passage” across the Atlantic than to return back to the Netherlands. Eventually, he landed in Canada and sailed down the east coast and explored the Delaware Bay and the Hudson River.

Although he failed his initial mission, he noted that this was a perfect site for a new colony. Therefore, he sent back reports of fertile land, friendly people and an abundance of beavers to Amsterdam. Since Beaver fur was used for felting and its secretions were used in medicine and perfumes, he saw huge potential in animal fur trading. Its east access the ocean meant that a port could be built to expand trading. And within fifteen years the colony of New Amsterdam was established by the Dutch West India Company.