<P> In 1602 , the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands chartered a young and eager Dutch East India Company ( Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or `` VOC '' ) with the mission of exploring North America 's Rivers and Bays for a direct passage through to the Indies . Along the way , Dutch explorers were charged to claim any uncharted areas for the United Provinces , which led to several significant expeditions and , over time , Dutch explorers founded the province of New Netherland . By 1610 , the VOC had already commissioned English explorer Henry Hudson who , in an attempt to find the so - called northwest passage to the Indies , discovered and claimed for the VOC parts of the present - day United States and Canada . Hudson entered the Upper New York Bay by sailboat , heading up the Hudson River , which now bears his name . </P>
<P> In 1602 , the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands chartered a young and eager Dutch East India Company ( Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or `` VOC '' ) with the mission of exploring North America 's Rivers and Bays for a direct passage through to the Indies . Along the way , Dutch explorers were charged to claim any uncharted areas for the United Provinces , which led to several significant expeditions and , over time , Dutch explorers founded the province of New Netherland . By 1610 , the VOC had already commissioned English explorer Henry Hudson who , in an attempt to find the so - called northwest passage to the Indies , discovered and claimed for the VOC parts of the present - day United States and Canada . Hudson entered the Upper New York Bay by sailboat , heading up the Hudson River , which now bears his name . </P>
when did the dutch come to north america
when did the dutch come to north america
1602
1602