It now came in order for Sweden also to take part in this enterprise.  William Usselinx,[2] a Hollander, born at Antwerp in Brabant, presented himself to King Gustaf Adolph, and laid before him a proposition for a Trading Company, to be established in Sweden, and to extend its operations to Asia, Africa, and Magellan’s Land (Terra Magellanica), with the assurance that this would be a great source of revenue to the kingdom.  Full power was given him to carry out this important project; and thereupon a contract of trade was drawn up, to which the Company was to agree and subscribe it.  Usselinx published explanations of this contract, wherein he also particularly directed attention to the country on the Delaware, its fertility, convenience, and all its imaginable resources.  To strengthen the matter, a charter (octroy) was secured for the Company, and especially to Usselinx, who was to receive a royalty of one thousandth upon all articles bought or sold by the Company.

The powerful king, whose zeal for the honor of God was not less ardent than for the welfare of his subjects, availed himself of this opportunity to extend the doctrines of Christ among the heathen, as well as to establish his own power in other parts of the world.  To this end he sent forth Letters Patent, dated at Stockholm on the 2d of July, 1626, wherein all, both high and low, were invited to contribute something to the Company, according to their means.  The work was completed in the Diet of the following year, 1627, when the estates of the realm gave their assent, and confirmed the measure....

But when these arrangements were now in full progress, and duly provided for, the German war and the king’s death occurred, which caused this important work to be laid aside.  The Trading Company was dissolved, its subscriptions nullified, and the whole project seemed about to die with the king.  But, just as it appeared to be at its end, it received new life.  Another Hollander by the name of Peter Menewe, sometimes called Menuet,[3] made his appearance in Sweden.

As a good beginning, the first colony was sent off; and Peter Menewe was placed over it, as being best acquainted in those regions.  They set sail from Goetheborg, in a ship-of-war called the Key of Colmar, followed by a smaller vessel bearing the name of the Bird Griffin, both laden with people, provisions, ammunition, and merchandise, suitable for traffic and gifts to the Indians.  The ships successfully reached their place of destination.  The high expectations which our emigrants had of that new land were well met by the first views which they had of it.  They made their first landing on the bay or entrance to the river Poutaxat, which they called the river of New Sweden; and the place where they landed they called Paradise Point.[4]