The Dutch were the first successful non-British people to establish themselves m the original thirteen colonies; New Amsterdam was settled in 1624 and, subsequently, the Dutch penetrated to the far reaches of the Hudson Valley. These "early" Dutch came not primarily for religious reasons, but for commercial and economic reasons. These people, from a tradition sturdy in the Reformed faith and one which recognized the cause of sound and broad education (their universities and common schools in the earlier days of modern times bear witness to this), early founded schools. The first of these was the famous Collegiate school dating back to the early 1630's, undoubtedly the oldest educational institution in the U. S.; subsequently, public schools were established in many other Dutch settlements. Furthermore a Latin school was established in New Amsterdam in 1659. Though these were termed "public schools," they were actually Christian schools in that the emphasis was upon piety, and instructional materials included a specially prepared catechism and reading books containing the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Proverbs of Solomon, prayers and other pious matter. Furthermore, the early teachers were often ministers or teachers who served as "lay preachers" as well. Permanent English occupation in the 1670's did little to promote the cause of education in the colony. It should be noted here that these "early" Dutch never considered themselves "separate" from the church in the Netherlands as the later Michigan and Iowa Dutch would. The Dutch in New Amsterdam (and later New York) long considered themselves part of Classis Amsterdam.