The Saber and Scroll Journal Volume 7, Issue 1, Winter 2018 | Page 12

epidemic spread throughout the region, and along with food shortages, it killed
many of the settlers. Researchers believe that the unknown disease may have been
dysentery or yellow fever. 18 Starving settlers started to hunt on the native peoples’
land, and this caused skirmishes between the two sides. Food shortages, a high
mortality rate, and conflict with the Indians made the settlement an unattractive
destination. Printz purchased maize from the Lenape Indian tribe to address the
food shortages, but he had no control over the epidemic. Some of the provisions
that made it to the colony were damaged and unusable. Moths and mice damaged
linen stockings because workers neglected proper care for the items in
Gothenburg, a port city in Sweden. 19 Supply shortages made it difficult for Printz
to carry out any agenda other than survival. He worried the colony’s deteriorating
condition would damage its reputation and prevent further support. 20
Rather than cultivating tobacco, Printz focused his efforts on securing the
beaver fur trade. English and Dutch colonies were close to New Sweden, and the
three competed for territory along the river for beaver pelts. Whoever controlled
most of the territory also controlled the beaver fur trade. The Swedes and the
Dutch united to expel the English from the mouth of the Delaware River called
Varkens Kill, now known as Salem Creek, in southern New Jersey. Printz turned
his attention to the Dutch after the removal of the English to ensure Swedish
dominance over the fur trade. He thought the New Sweden settlers could easily
overrun the weakened Dutch. He was concerned, however, about how the Swedes
would hold onto the territory without reinforcements. Messengers were sent back
to Sweden multiple times explaining the state of affairs, but Printz received only
silence. Indians were unreliable allies without adequate gifts.
Frustrated with the lack of support, Printz resigned from his position. In
1652, he returned to Sweden on a Dutch ship, and left his son-in-law John
Papegoija in charge until the new governor arrived. 21 Their heavy reliance on the
fur trade put them in direct competition with the Dutch and English settlers.
Competition for beaver pelts created tensions between the three, and this added to
New Sweden’s vulnerability. Properly supported with manpower and supplies, the
Dutch and English colonies grew strong. Dominance over the beaver fur trade
would have secured the colony’s position and prospects.
Johan Rising became the fourth and last governor of New Sweden. He
quickly assessed the poor conditions of the colony. He discovered more than half
of the settlers could not feed themselves. Most of the land remained uncultivated
as settlers planted few crops. The Lenape tribe provided maize, and deer meat, and
the New Englanders provided bread to the New Sweden settlers. 22 Many of the
settlers were unskilled peasants rather than the artisans needed to make pottery,
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