Peter Stuyvesant, the Last Dutch Governor of New Amsterdam, by John S. C. Abbott

His harangue produced no effect. The Dutch remained unshaken in their loyalty. Some of the magistrates ventured to tell him that these were matters which he ought to settle with Governor Stuyvesant. He replied,

     "Stuyvesant is governor no longer. I will soon go to New
     Amsterdam, with a hundred men, and proclaim the supremacy of
     his Majesty, king Charles, beneath the very walls of the
     fort."

The next day he went to Flatbush, where there was a renewal of the scenes which we have above described. Though the people could present no resistance, he found no voice to cheer him. The want of success exasperated Scott. He went to New Utrecht. There was a block fort there, armed with cannon, and over which floated the Dutch flag. He hauled down that banner and raised in its stead the flag of England. Then, with Dutch cannon and Dutch powder, he fired a salute in honor of his victory. All passers-by were ordered to uncover their heads and bow in submission to the English flag. Those who refused to do so were pursued by his soldiers and cruelly beaten.

Governor Stuyvesant, upon being informed of these transactions, immediately sent three of his principal men to Long Island, to seek some arrangement with Scott for the termination of such disorders. They met him at Jamaica. After much discussion they entered into a partial agreement, which was to be submitted to the approval of Governor Stuyvesant. As the Dutch deputies took their leave, Scott said to them,

     "This whole island belongs to the king of England. He has
     made a grant of it to his brother, the duke of York. He
     knows that it will yield him an annual revenue of one
     hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He is soon coming with
     an ample force, to take possession of his property. If it is
     not surrendered peaceably he is determined to take, not only
     the whole island, but also the whole province of New
     Netherland."

With these alarming tidings, the Dutch envoys returned to New Amsterdam. Disorders were now rapidly multiplying. Scott rallied around him all the most turbulent of the English population, and the Dutch towns were menaced with violence. The Dutch families in the English villages, were many of them compelled to abandon their houses, and repair to the Dutch villages for protection. Frequent collisions occurred. There was no longer any happiness or peace to be found in these dwellings agitated by the approaching tempests of revolution.

The inhabitants of New Amsterdam became greatly alarmed from fear that their rich and beautiful city would be attacked or plundered by the English. The burgomasters and principal men drew up a petition to the authorities urging additional fortifications for the city and the enlistment of an increased armed force.

     "this capital is adorned with so many noble buildings, at
     the expense of so many good and faithful inhabitants,
     principally Netherlanders, that it nearly excels any other
     place in North America. Were it duly fortified it would
     instil fear into any envious neighbors. It would protect
     both the East and the North rivers, the surrounding villages
     and farms, as well as full ten thousand inhabitants who
     would soon flock to this province, where thousands of acres
     of land remain wild and uncultivated. It would become the
     granary of fatherland. Yes, if permitted to abide in peace
     this land will become an emporium to fatherland by its
     growing plantations."

In accordance with this memorial, heavy taxes were imposed and large contributions subscribed to enlarge and strengthen the fortifications. A militia of two hundred men was organized, and one hundred and sixty were enlisted as regular soldiers.

CHAPTER XIII.—HOSTILE MEASURES COMMENCED.

     John Scott and his Movements.—Losses of the Dutch.—The
     First General Assembly.—Action of the Home
     Government.—Peace with the Indians.—Arrest of John
     Scott.—Governor Winthrop's visit to Long Island.—Sailing
     of the Fleet.—Preparations for War.—The False
     Dispatches.—Arrival of the Fleet.—The Summons to
     Surrender.

Governor Stuyvesant, with much anxiety of mind, kept a vigilant eye upon the proceedings of John Scott, on Long Island. Some praised the governor for the forbearance he had exhibited under the provoking circumstances. Others severely blamed him for his course, which they pronounced to be cowardly and disgraceful to the nation.

By the terms of the Convention, concluded between the Dutch delegates and John Scott, it was agreed that the English villages, on the western part of Long Island, should remain unmolested under English rule, for the space of one year, until the king of England and the States-General of Holland should have time to settle the question in dispute. In the meantime the English were to have free access to all the Dutch towns on the island, and on the mainland, for purposes of trade; and the Dutch were to enjoy the same privilege in visiting the English towns.

These terms were to be presented to Governor Stuyvesant for his rejection or approval. Deciding to ratify them he took with him an escort of ten men, and proceeded to Hempstead, on the third day of March, 1664. Here he met the President, John Scott, with delegates from the English towns, and the agreement was ratified.

The Dutch had now lost, one after another, every portion of territory which the English had assailed. The whole valley of the Connecticut river had been surrendered to the English. Westchester was entirely in their possession. And now the important towns of Flushing, Jamaica, Hempstead and Gravesend were yielded up to them. The whole of Long Island was also peremptorily claimed by the English, with the declaration that if any resistance were made to their taking possession of it, they would seize the valley of the Hudson and the whole of New Netherland.

The conjuncture was gloomy indeed. Governor Stuyvesant was conscious that he was utterly powerless. He then decided it to be necessary to call to his aid popular representation. A General Assembly of delegates from all the towns was convoked to take into consideration the state of the province. This important meeting was held in the City Hall of New Amsterdam, on the 10th of April, 1664. Twenty-four delegates were present from twelve towns.

Immediately there arose an unfriendly controversy between the governor and the assembly which was fatal to any harmonious or efficient action. The assembly refused to grant the governor the supplies, in money or in men, which he called for, and adjourned for a week. In the meantime Governor Stuyvesant had received dispatches from Holland. The West India Company had acted energetically upon the subject urged in his memorial. They had presented to the States-General a very earnest petition.

In this memorial they laid before that August body, a detailed account of the aggressions committed by the English, and of the repulse with which the Dutch overtures for an amicable settlement had been met at Boston and Hartford.

     "to the alliance recently entered into with England, they
     had hitherto abstained from hostilities. But, as it now
     seemed absolutely necessary to repel aggression by force,
     they implored such military and pecuniary aid as the
     occasion required. They also urged that, in conformity with
     Governor Stuyvesant's request, an act should be passed under
     the great seal, confirming their original charter; and that
     letters might be sent to the revolted towns on Long Island,
     requiring them, under the severest penalties, to return to
     their allegiance. In conclusion they asked that the whole of
     the aggressions of which they complained might be
     communicated to the king of England, with the request that
     he would order his English subjects to restore, on the
     instant, the places they had seized, and to abstain from all
     further innovations, pending the negotiations for a boundary
     line."

These requests were complied with by the States-General. They sent sixty soldiers to New Amsterdam, with orders to Governor Stuyvesant to resist any further encroachments of the English, and to reduce the revolted villages to allegiance. It was easy for the States-General to issue such an order, but it was not so easy for Governor Stuyvesant to execute it. The Assembly was immediately called together again, and the documents from Holland presented to them. After much deliberation it was decided to be impossible, with the force at the governor's command, to subdue the English villages. In those villages it was said that the Dutch were outnumbered six to one; and that upon the outbreak of hostilities, the flourishing settlements on the Connecticut would immediately send such a force to Long Island, as would enable them to overcome and take possession of all the other villages.

It will be remembered that the Esopus Indians had been completely humbled, and almost annihilated. The tribe living in the immediate vicinity of the village of Esopus, had been slaughtered or driven from their lands. The survivors had taken refuge with other neighboring tribes, who were more or less in sympathy with them. Thus while there was a cessation of actual war, hostility continued. No terms of peace had been agreed to, and there could be no friendly intercourse.

News reached Governor Stuyvesant that the Connecticut people, in their intrigues to get possession of New Netherland, were tampering with these river Indians, endeavoring to enter into a treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive with them. It was consequently deemed desirable immediately to secure a general peace with these Indians.

The sachems of several tribes were invited to assemble in the Council Chamber at fort Amsterdam. The governor with nine of his council, met them. It is worthy of special notice that, the preliminaries being settled, one of the Indian chiefs offered an earnest prayer. First he called several times, with a loud voice, upon the Great Spirit to hear him In his language Bachtamo was the name for God.

     "help us to make a good treaty with the Dutch. And may the
     treaty we are about to negotiate be like the stick I hold in
     my hand. Like this stick may it be firmly united, the one
     end to the other."

Then turning to the governor, he said, "We all desire peace. I have come with my brother sachems, in behalf of the Esopus Indians, to conclude a peace as firm and compact as my arms, which I now fold together."

Then presenting his hand to Governor Stuyvesant he added, "What I now say is from the fullness of my heart. Such is my desire, and that of all my people."

A solemn treaty was soon negotiated. It was signed the next day, and the event was celebrated by salvos of artillery. On the whole, the terms were fair, but rather hard for the Indians. The treaty is concisely given by O'Callaghan in the following words:

     "By its terms all that had passed was to be forever
     forgotten and forgiven. The land, already given to the Dutch
     as an indemnity, and now again conquered by the sword, the
     two forts belonging to the Indians included, became the
     property of the Christians. The savages were not to return
     thither to plant, nor to visit the village, or any remote
     Dutch settlements with or without arms. But as it was not
     intended to expel them altogether from the country, they
     were permitted to plant near their new fort, and this year
     only, by their old castle, as they had already placed some
     seed in the ground there. But the lands, in the neighborhood
     of these forts, having been conquered, were to belong to the
     Dutch.

     "To prevent all future collision, no savage should hereafter
     approach the place where the Christians were ploughing,
     pasturing, sowing or engaged in agricultural labor. The
     violation of this article was to subject them to arrest.
     They might sell meat or maize at the Ronduit, in parties of
     three canoes at a time, but only on condition that they sent
     a flag of truce beforehand to give notice of their approach.
     For their accommodation, on such occasions, a house was to
     be built beyond the kill.

     "Should a Dutchman kill an Indian, or an Indian a Dutchman,
     no war was to be declared. A complaint was to be lodged
     against the murderer, who should be hanged in the presence
     of both the contracting parties. All damages, by the killing
     of cattle, were to be paid for; and this treaty was to be
     annually ratified by the Esopus Indians. The Hackingsack and
     Staten Island sachems were security for the faithful
     observance of this contract; and were bound to co-operate
     against either the Esopus Indians or the Dutch, whichever
     might violate its terms."

The peace thus secured gave universal satisfaction in the Dutch settlements. Governor Stuyvesant devoutly proclaimed a day of general thanks giving to God for the great blessing.

It will be remembered that John Scott had received a commission from Connecticut, and it was expected that, as their agent, he would cause the English towns on western Long Island to be annexed to the Connecticut province. Instead of this, those towns declared themselves independent, and Scott allowed himself to be chosen their president. The Court at Hartford, upon being made acquainted with these facts, was very indignant. A proclamation was soon issued by the Assembly of Connecticut, charging Scott with various high crimes and misdemeanors, and ordering his arrest. A party of soldiers was sent under the command of John Allyn, secretary, "to seize on the body of John Scott." Mr. Allyn returned to the Honorable Court the following interesting report of his procedure on the occasion:

     "When we came within sight of the house of John Scott we saw
     him draw forth those men which came from New Haven to aid
     him, with some others, unto a body. When we came up towards
     the house, within twenty or thirty rods thereof. John Scott
     commanded us, in his Majesty's name to stand, upon our
     peril. John Scott charged us in his Majesty's name, to get
     off from his land. John Scott desired to know what our
     business was.

     "Then it was replied, by Nathaniel Seely, that he desired a
     parley. John Scott granted a parley, and we met, each of us
     with a couple of musketeers. Then Nathaniel Seely told him
     that he had come to arrest him, and read the commission unto
     him. When it was read Seely demanded of him whether he would
     surrender himself according to commission?

     "John Scott replied that he would sacrifice his heart's
     blood on the ground, before he would yield to him or any of
     Connecticut jurisdiction. With that the New Haven men
     answered, 'So will we.' John Scott said, 'Stay awhile and I
     will fetch you a letter, from under Governor Winthrop's
     hand, which I do not question much will satisfy you.' So he
     went into the house and fetched it forth and read it before
     us, bearing date as he said, of March 25, 1664.

     "It was concerning the governor's desiring him to meet him
     to end some difference in the Narragansett country about a
     tract of land. John Scott said, 'If you will return to your
     body, I will fetch a commission under his Majesty's hand,
     which shall command you all.' Whereupon he made a flourish
     and said that he would go down unto the face of the company
     and read it, and he would see if the proudest of them all
     dared to lay hands upon him. 'Let them,' said he, 'take me
     if they dare.'

     "Then he came down to the head of the company, and read the
     commission, which he said had the seal manual upon it.
     Whereupon he renewed his challenge that he would see if the
     proudest of them all dared to lay hands upon him. Then
     Nathaniel Seely arrested him in his Majesty's name to go
     with him according to law."

Scott was taken to Hartford and thrown into jail, where, it is said, he experienced much harsh usage. Soon after this Governor John Winthrop, from Hartford, visited the English Long Island towns, removed the officers appointed by Scott, and installed others who would be devoted to the interests of Connecticut.

Governor Stuyvesant being informed of his presence, immediately crossed the East river to Long Island, to meet the Connecticut governor, who was thus encroaching upon the Dutch domains. He urged upon Governor Winthrop the claims of Holland upon New Netherland, by the apparently indubitable title of discovery, purchase and possession, as well as by the clearly defined obligations of the Hartford treaty of 1650. It will be remembered that by that treaty it was expressly agreed that,

     "Upon Long Island a line run from the westernmost part of
     Oyster Bay, in a straight and direct line to the sea, shall
     be the bounds between the English and the Dutch there; the
     easterly part to belong to the English, the westernmost part
     to the Dutch."

But here was Governor Winthrop, in total disregard of this treaty, many miles west of this line, endeavoring to wrest several towns from the Dutch dominion, and to annex them to the Connecticut colony. All Governor Stuyvesant's arguments were unavailing. Governor Winthrop paid no heed to them. He knew very well that the Dutch governor had no military power with which to enforce his claims. Governor Winthrop therefore contented himself with simply declaring that the whole of Long Island belonged to the king of England.

     "was of no avail. The country was the king's, the people his
     subjects. When priority of title from the Indians was
     invoked, those from whom the Dutch purchased were, it was
     replied, not the right owners and had no right to sell. But
     when deeds which the English held from natives, happened to
     be older than those of their opponents, then the title could
     not be gainsayed. All must be received without
     contradiction.

     "The truth is, the Directors in Holland were mistaken in
     their reliance upon Winthrop's friendship. He now manifested
     the greatest hostility to the Dutch, and was the head and
     front of all the opposition they experienced. He was no
     doubt well-advised of the designs of the Duke of York, and
     of his brother the king of England, which were about to
     develop themselves against this province."

While New Netherland was thus fearfully menaced by England, the internal affairs of the province were in a state of prosperity. The rich soil was producing abundant harvests and farms were extending in all directions. Emigrants were continually arriving and were delighted with their new homes. The population of the province now amounted to full ten thousand. New Amsterdam was a flourishing city, containing fifteen hundred inhabitants.

This prosperity excited both the jealousy and the covetousness of the British court. The king resolved, by one bold blow, to rob Holland of all her American possessions. On the 12th of March, 1664, the king of England granted to his brother James, the Duke of York, the whole of Long Island, all the islands in its neighborhood, and all the lands and rivers from the west side of Connecticut river to the east side of Delaware Bay. This sweeping grant included the whole of New Netherland. This was emphatically expelling the Dutch from the New World.

The first intimation Governor Stuyvesant received of this alarming movement came to him from Boston. A young man, named Ford, brought the tidings to New Amsterdam that a fleet of armed ships had sailed from the naval depot in Portsmouth, England, to enter the Hudson river and take possession of the whole territory. This intelligence created not a little panic. The governor summoned his council, and it was decided to exert every energy in fortifying the city. The hostile fleet might make its appearance any day.

Money was raised. Powder was ordered from the forts on the Delaware. Agents were sent to New Haven to purchase provisions. As it was expected that the fleet would come through the Sound, agents were stationed along the shore, to transmit the tidings of its approach, so soon as the sails should be seen in the distant horizon. Several vessels on the point of sailing with supplies to Curaçoa were detained.

So secretly had the British government moved in this enterprise, that the governmental authorities, in Holland, had not the slightest suspicion of the peril to which their colony in New Netherland was exposed. At the moment when all was agitation in New Amsterdam, and every hand was busy preparing for the defence, Governor Stuyvesant received dispatches from Holland, assuring him that no apprehension of danger from England need be entertained.

     "is only desirous of reducing his colonies to uniformity in
     Church and State. With this view he has dispatched some
     commissioners with two or three frigates, to New England, to
     introduce Episcopacy in that quarter."

It was supposed in Holland, that this intolerant policy would strengthen the Dutch interests in America; that the religious freedom, which the States-General insisted upon, would invite to New Netherland from all the countries of Europe, those who were not willing to conform to the doctrines and ritual of the Church of England.

Governor Stuyvesant, upon receiving these dispatches from the home government, felt relieved of all anxiety. He had no doubt that the previous rumor which had reached him was false. Neither he nor his council anticipated any difficulty. The whole community indulged in the sense of security. The work on the fortifications was stopped; the vessels sailed to Curaçoa, and the governor went up the river to fort Orange. A desolating war had broken out between the Indian tribes there, which raged with such ferocity that the colonists were full of alarm for their own lives and property.

But the English fleet was rapidly approaching. It consisted of four frigates, containing in all an armament of ninety-four guns. This was a force to which defenceless New Amsterdam could present no resistance.

The fleet put into Boston the latter part of July, and the commissioners applied to both Massachusetts and Connecticut for aid in their military expedition against the Dutch. But the Puritans of Massachusetts found innumerable obstacles in the way of rendering any assistance. They feared that the king of England, having reduced the Dutch, would be induced to extend his arbitrary sway, both civil and religious, over those colonists who were exiles from their native land, simply that they might enjoy freedom to worship God.

Connecticut, however, hoped that the conquest of New Netherland might annex the magnificent domain to their own region. Governor Winthrop, of Hartford, manifested so much alacrity in the cause, that he was invited to meet the British squadron, at the west end of Long Island, to which point it would sail with the first fair wind.

Colonel Richard Nicholls was in command of the expedition. Three commissioners were associated with him. They had received instructions to visit the several New England colonies, and to require them, "to join and assist vigorously in reducing the Dutch to subjection." The Duke of York, soon after the departure of the squadron, conveyed to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret all the territory between the Hudson and Delaware rivers, from Cape May north to forty-one degrees and forty minutes of latitude, "hereafter to be called Nova Cæsarea or New Jersey."

A friend of Governor Stuyvesant, in Boston, sent word to New Amsterdam of the arrival of the fleet and its destination. An express was instantly dispatched to Albany to recall the Governor. He hurried back to the capitol, much chagrined by the thought that he had lost three weeks. Every able-bodied man was immediately summoned to work at the city defences, "with spade, shovel and wheelbarrow." This working party was divided into three classes, one of which was to labor every day. A permanent guard was organized. The brewers were forbidden to malt any more grain, that it all might be reserved for food. Six pieces of cannon were added to the fourteen already mounted. The garrison at Esopus was summoned to the defence.

About the 20th of August, the English squadron anchored in Nyack Bay, just below the Narrows, between New Utrecht and Coney Island. A strict blockade of the river was established. All communication between Long Island and Manhattan was cut off. Several vessels were captured. Upon Staten Island, about three miles from where the frigates rode at anchor, there was a small fort, a block-house, about twenty feet square. It had been constructed for defence against the savages. For its armament it had two small guns, carrying one pound balls, and a garrison of six old invalid soldiers. A party was sent on shore, in the boats, which captured the fort and also a lot of cattle.

The next morning, which was Saturday, Colonel Nicholls sent a delegation of four men up to fort Amsterdam, with a summons for the surrender of "the town situated on the island commonly known by the name of Manhattoes, with all the forts thereunto belonging." At the same time proclamations were scattered abroad, forbidding the farmers from furnishing any supplies to the Dutch garrison, under penalty of having their houses fired. All the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, who would quietly submit to his Britannic Majesty, were promised the safe possession of their property. Those who should otherwise demean themselves were threatened with all the miseries of war.

Governor Stuyvesant had but one hundred soldiers in garrison. He could not place much reliance upon the aid of undisciplined citizens. Still his brave spirit was disposed to present a desperate resistance. He called his council together, but was unwilling to have the people know the nature of the summons, lest they should clamor for a surrender.

But the citizens held a meeting, voted in favor of non-resistance, and demanded an authentic copy of the communication, which had been received from the commander of the English fleet. They adjourned to meet on Monday morning to receive the reply. Governor Stuyvesant was greatly distressed. After the Sabbath he went to the meeting in person, and endeavored to convince those present of the impropriety of their demands. But the citizens, trembling in view of the bombardment of the town, were in no mood to listen to his persuasions.

It was not needful for the English to be in any hurry. The prey was entirely within their grasp. It will be remembered that Governor Winthrop of Hartford, had joined the expedition. Colonel Nicholls addressed a letter to Governor Winthrop, requesting him to visit the city under a flag of truce, and communicate the contents to Governor Stuyvesant. The Dutch governor came out of the fort to receive the letter, and then returned into the fort to read it. The following was the letter:

"As to those particulars you spoke to me, I do assure you that if the Manhadoes be delivered up to his Majesty, I shall not hinder but any people from the Netherlands may freely come and plant there or thereabouts. And such vessels of their own country, may freely come thither. And any of them may as freely return home, in vessels of their own country; and this and much more is contained in the privilege of his Majesty's English subjects. This much you may, by what means you please, assure the governor from, Sir, your affectionate servant,

The Council demanded that this letter should be exhibited to the people. The governor refused, saying that it would be quite unfavorable to the defence to communicate such intelligence to the inhabitants. As the council persisted, the governor, in a passion, tore up the letter and trampled it beneath, his feet. The rumor spread rapidly that a flag of truce had come.

The citizens collected in a large and excited gathering, and sent a delegation of three persons to demand of the governor the communication which he had received from the hostile fleet. Threats were uttered. Curses were heard. Resistance was declared to be madness. The universal voice clamored for the letter. The community was upon the eve of mutiny.

At length Stuyvesant yielded. A copy of the letter was made out from the fragments, and it was read to the people. This increased their disposition to capitulate. Still the indomitable governor could not endure the thought of surrendering the majestic province of New Netherland to a force of four frigates. He regarded the movement, on the part of the English, as an atrocious act of highway robbery. But he was well aware that there was no escape from the sacrifice.

In the night he sent a vessel, "silently through Hell Gate," to the Directors in Holland, with the following laconic dispatch. "Long Island is gone and lost. The capitol cannot hold out long." When a man's heart is broken his words are few.

Much of the night the governor spent in drawing up a strong remonstrance, in answer to the message of Colonel Nicholls. All the argument was with the Dutch. All the force was with the English. But when argument and force come into collision in this wicked world, argument must generally yield.

In the very able manifesto of the governor, he traced the history of the country from the earliest period to the present time. He deduced the title of the Dutch, to the territory, from the three great principles of Discovery, Settlement, and Purchase from the Indians. He severely denounced the pretence, now put forth by the English, that his, "Britannic Majesty had an indisputable right to all the lands in the north parts of America." Courteously he added that he was confident that if his Majesty had been well informed in the premises, his high sense of justice would have dissuaded him from authorizing the present hostile demonstration. In conclusion he said,

     "In case you will act by force of arms, we protest before
     God and man, that you will perform an act of unjust
     violence. You will violate the articles of peace solemnly
     ratified by his Majesty of England, and my Lords the
     States-General. Again for the prevention of the spilling of
     innocent blood, not only here but in Europe, we offer you a
     treaty by our deputies. As regards your threats we have no
     answer to make, only that we fear nothing but what God may
     lay upon us. All things are at His disposal, and we can be
     preserved by Him with small forces as well as by a great
     army."

CHAPTER XIV.—THE CAPTURE OF NEW AMSTERDAM.

     The Approach of the Fleet.—The Governor Unjustly
     Censured.—The Flag of Truce.—The Haughty Response.—The
     Remonstrance.—The Defenceless City.—The Surrender.—The
     Expedition to the Delaware.—Sack and Plunder.—Change of
     Name.—Testimony to the Dutch Government.—Death of the
     Governor.—His farm, or Bouwerie.—War Between Holland and
     England.—New York Menaced by the Dutch.

The only response which Colonel Nicholls deigned to make to the remonstrance of Governor Stuyvesant, was to put his fleet in motion. A party of soldiers, infantry and cavalry, was landed on Long Island, and they advanced rapidly through the forest, to the little cluster of huts which were scattered along the silent and solitary shores of Brooklyn. These troops were generally volunteers from Connecticut and from the English settlements on Long Island.

The fleet then ascended through the Narrows, and two of the frigates disembarked a number of regular troops just below Brooklyn, to support the volunteers. Two of the frigates, one mounting thirty-six guns, and the other thirty, coming up under full sail, passed directly within range of the guns of the fort, and cast anchor between the fort and Nutten or Governor's Island.

Stuyvesant stood at one of the angles of the fortress as the frigates passed by. It was a critical moment. The fate of the city and the lives of its inhabitants trembled in the balance. The guns were loaded and shotted, and the gunners stood by with their burning matches. A word from the impetuous Stuyvesant would have opened upon the city all the horrors of a bombardment. There were but about twenty guns in the fort. There were sixty-six in the two frigates, whose portholes were opened upon the city; and there were two other frigates just at hand, prepared to bring twenty-eight guns more into the fray.

As Governor Stuyvesant stood at that point, burning with indignation, with the word to fire almost upon his lips, the two clergymen of the place, Messrs. Megapolensis and son, came up and entreated him not to be the first to shed blood in a hopeless conflict. Their persuasions induced the governor to leave the rampart, and intrusting the defence of the fort to fifty men, to take the remainder of the garrison, one hundred in number, to repel if possible, the English, should they attempt a landing. The governor still cherished a faint hope that some accommodation could yet be agreed upon.

The Directors in Holland subsequently, with great severity and, as we think, with great injustice, censured Governor Stuyvesant for his conduct on this occasion. The whole population of the little city was but fifteen hundred. Of them not more than two hundred and fifty were able to bear arms, in addition to the one hundred and fifty regular troops in garrison. And yet the Directors in Holland wrote, in the following cruel terms, to the heroic governor:

     "It is an act which can never be justified, that a Director
     General should stand between the gabions, while the hostile
     frigates pass the fort, and the mouths of twenty pieces of
     cannon, and yet give no orders to prevent it. It is
     unpardonable that he should lend his ear to preachers, and
     other chicken-hearted persons, demeaning himself as if he
     were willing to fire, and yet to allow himself to be led in
     from the bulwark between the preachers. When the frigates
     had sailed past, he became so troubled that he must then
     first go out to prevent their landing. The excuse, that it
     was resolved not to begin hostilities, is very poor, for the
     English had committed every hostile act."

The governor immediately sent to Colonel Nicholls a flag of truce conveyed by four of the most distinguished officers of State. Through them he said:

     "I feel obliged to defend the city, in obedience to orders.
     It is inevitable that much blood will be shed on the
     occurrence of the assault. Cannot some accommodation yet be
     agreed upon? Friends will be welcome if they come in a
     friendly manner."

     "I have nothing to do but to execute my mission. To
     accomplish that I hope to have further conversation with you
     on the morrow, at the Manhattans. You say that friends will
     be welcome, if they come in a friendly manner. I shall come
     with ships and soldiers. And he will be bold indeed who will
     dare to come on board my ships, to demand an answer or to
     solicit terms. What then is to be done? Hoist the white flag
     of surrender, and then something may be considered."

When this imperious message became known it created the greatest consternation throughout the city. Men, women and children flocked to the governor, and, with tears in their eyes, implored him to submit. A brief bombardment would cause the death of hundreds, and would lay the city in ashes. "I had rather," the governor replied, "be carried a corpse to my grave, than to surrender the city."

The civic authority, the clergy and the commanders of the Burgher corps, promptly assembled in the City Hall and drew up the following earnest remonstrance, which was immediately presented to the governor and his council. We give it slightly abbreviated.

     "Right Honorable! We, your sorrowful subjects, beg to
     represent, in these sad circumstances, that having maturely
     weighed what was necessary to be done, we cannot foresee,
     for this fort and city of Manhattans, in further resistance,
     aught else than misery, sorrow, and conflagration; the
     dishonor of women, the murder of children, and in a word the
     absolute ruin of fifteen hundred innocent souls, only two
     hundred and fifty of whom are capable of bearing arms.

     "You are aware that four of the English king's frigates are
     now in the roadstead, with six hundred soldiers on board.
     They have also commissions to all the governors of New
     England, a populous and thickly inhabited country, to
     impress troops, in addition to the forces already on board,
     for the purpose of reducing New Netherland to his Majesty's
     obedience.

     "These threats we would not have regarded, could we expect
     the smallest aid. But, God help us, where shall we turn for
     assistance, to the north or to the south, to the east or to
     the west? 'Tis all in vain. On all sides we are encompassed
     and hemmed in by our enemies. If, on the other hand, we
     examine our internal strength, alas! it is so feeble and
     impotent that unless we ascribe the circumstance to the
     mercy of God, we cannot sufficiently express our
     astonishment that the foe should have granted us so long a
     reprieve. He could have delivered us a prey to the soldiery
     after one summons.

     "We shall now examine your Honors' fortress. You know that
     it is incapable of making head three days, against so
     powerful an enemy. Even could it hold out one, two, three,
     four, five or six months, which to our sorrow it cannot do,
     it is still undeniable that it cannot save the smallest
     portion of our entire city, our property and what is dearer
     to us, our wives and children, from total ruin. And after
     considerable bloodshed the fort itself could not be
     preserved.

     "Wherefore, to prevent the aforesaid misfortunes, we humbly,
     and in bitterness of heart, implore your Honors not to
     reject the conditions of so generous a foe, but to be
     pleased to meet him in the speediest, best and most
     reputable manner. Otherwise, which God forbid, we are
     obliged to protest before God and the world; and to call
     down upon your Honors the vengeance of Heaven for all the
     innocent blood which shall be shed in consequence of your
     Honors' obstinacy; inasmuch as the commissioners have this
     day informed us that the English general has stated that he
     shall not wait any longer than this day.

     "We trust your Honors will not question that to God, who
     seeks not the death of the sinner, belongs obedience rather
     than to man. We feel certain that your Honors will exhibit
     yourselves, in this pressing exigency and sorrowful season,
     as men and christians, and conclude with God's help, an
     honorable and reasonable capitulation. May the Lord our God
     be pleased to grant this to us, Amen."

The above memorial was signed by ninety-four of the most prominent citizens of New Amsterdam. One of these signers was the governor's son. All our readers will perceive that the situation of the governor had become one of extreme difficulty. A fleet and army of great strength for the time and the occasion were before him. This force held in reserve the whole military power of New England. The civic officers and citizens of New Amsterdam, headed by the governor's own son, were loud in their remonstrance against any defence, and were almost in a state of mutiny.

The condition of the city was such that the idea of standing a siege was not for a moment to be thought of. Along the banks of the North and East rivers, the village, for the little cluster of three hundred houses was but a village, was entirely exposed. Upon the land side, running from river to river, there was a slight fence composed of old and decayed palisades, which scores of years before had been a protection against the savages. In front of this fence there were the remains of a storm-washed breastwork, about three feet high and two feet wide.

The crumbling fort was pronounced by all to be untenable. It was originally constructed as a retreat from the savages, who could only assail it with arrows and hatchets and a few musket balls. It was surrounded by an earthen rampart, about ten feet high and three or four feet thick. In all, there were twenty-four cannons within the enclosure, which was unprotected by any ditch or palisades. In the rear, where the throngs of Broadway now press along, there was a series of forest-crowned eminences whose solitary summits were threaded by an Indian trail. These hills commanded the fort. From their crests the soles of the feet, it was said, of those walking in the squares within, could be seen. There were not five hundred pounds of powder in store fit for use. The gunners declared that a few hours of fighting would exhaust it all. The stock of provisions was equally low, and there was not a well of water within the fort.

It is probable that the majority of common soldiers, in almost any regular army, is composed of dissolute worthless men. There are but few persons but the lost and the reckless who will enlist to spend their days in shouldering a musket. A young man of good character can do better than convert himself into a part of such a military machine. The garrison at New Amsterdam was composed of the off-scouring of Europe. They were ready to fight under any banner which would pay them. They were eager for the conflict with the English. At the first volley they would throw aside their guns and join the English in the plunder. One of them was heard saying to an applauding group: