In 1626 , Director of the WIC Peter Minuit purchased the island of Manhattan from the Lenape natives .
In 1626 , Director of the WIC Peter Minuit started construction of Fort Amsterdam , which grew to become the main port and capital , New Amsterdam .
In 1626 , Director of the WIC Peter Minuit purchased the island of Manhattan from the Lenape natives and started construction of Fort Amsterdam , which grew to become the main port and capital , New Amsterdam .