<P> The Dutch colonization of the Americas began with the establishment of Dutch trading posts and plantations in the Americas, which preceded the much wider known colonisation activities of the Dutch in Asia . While the first Dutch fort in Asia was built in 1600 (in present - day Indonesia), the first forts and settlements on the Essequibo River in Guyana date from the 1590s . Actual colonization, with the Dutch settling in the new lands, was not as common as with other European nations . Many of the Dutch settlements were lost or abandoned by the end of the 17th century, but the Netherlands managed to retain possession of Suriname until it gained independence in 1975, as well as the Netherlands Antilles, which remain within the Kingdom of the Netherlands today . </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> <P> On March 27, 1614, the States General would move away from traditional monopolistic endeavors and take a new and freer approach to exploration and commercial development of the New World; the issuance of the General Charter for Those who Discover Any New Passages, Havens, Countries, or Places stated that "the said undertaking to be laudable, honorable, and serviceable for the prosperity of the United Provinces and wishing that the experiment be free and open to all and every of the inhabitants of this country, have invited and do hereby invite all and every of the inhabitants of the United Netherlands to the aforesaid search ." </P> <P> In 1614, Adriaen Block led an expedition to the lower Hudson River in the Tyger, and then explored the East River aboard the Onrust, becoming the first known European to navigate the Hellegat in order to gain access to Long Island Sound . Block Island and Block Island Sound are befittingly named in his honor . Upon his return to Amsterdam in 1614, Block compiled a map, and applied the name' New Netherland' for the first time to the area between English Virginia and French Canada, where he was later granted exclusive trading rights by the Dutch government . Block quickly ascended and became Manhattan's first monopolist . </P>

Who did the dutch government allow to settle in their colony