out effect. In the year 1653, a convention was held at New Amsterdam, composed of delegates from several of the towns in the province, with authority to make a representation setting forth the wishes and will of the people. They demanded that no new laws should be enacted but with the consent of the people, that none should be appointed to office, but with the approbation of the people, and that obscure and obsolete laws should not be revived. But Governor Stuyvesant was tenacious of power, and had little faith in the "wavering multitude." He issued a declaration in which the demands of the popular delegates were treated with little respect, and the reply which they made, was noticed in no other way, than by the issue of a positive command dissolving the convention, and threatening the members with arbitrary punishment. "We derive our authority," said the Governor, "from God and the West India Company, and not from the pleasure of a few ignorant subjects." The West India Company approved of the course of the Governor. "Have no regard to the will of the people," they said, "let them indulge no longer the visionary dream that taxes can be imposed only with their consent." But to dissipate such a dream was no easy undertaking, and the attempt could only tend, as it did tend, to detach the people of New Netherland from their government, and reconcile them to the idea "of obtaining English liberties by submitting to English jurisdiction."24

"Bancroft, vol. 2, p. 308.

T

CHAPTER VII.

SUBJUGATION OF NEW NETHERLAND, AND A SECOND CONVEYANCE OF A PART OF THE COUNTRY.

In the year 1660, Charles the Second recovered the Throne of his Fathers. Circumstances occurred at an early period which tended to disturb the relations of amity which for some time had subsisted between England and Holland. Charles was displeased with the refusal of the States General to elect the young Prince, his nephew, as Stadtholder. The court of France was busy in fomenting the growing aversion. The French were jealous of the increasing intimacy between the countries of Spain and Holland, and endeavoured to prejudice the interests of the latter, by fanning the displeasure of the English King. The feelings of Charles were also strengthened by reasons of State. England and Holland were rivals in trade, and in the pursuit of their interests were sometimes placed in direct opposition. This subject was noticed by the House of Commons, and a vote was passed that the indignities offered to the English, by the States, were the greatest obstructions to foreign trade. The condition of affairs in America was an additional ground of dissension; the claims of the colonists in New England, and those of the Dutch in New Netherland, were directly at variance, and an actual collision between the parties, was constantly threatened. The concurrence of these several circumstances and reasons seemed to the English King to point out a course of procedure which he directly prepared to pursue; he resolved to make an attack upon the Dutch by asserting his claim to their American possessions.

By this course of policy, the appearance of any new issue be

Robinson's England.

tween the parties was wholly avoided; the English had never conceded the claims of the Dutch in New Netherland, but on the contrary, had constantly maintained that the country was theirs, and that the actual occupants were only intruders who might at any time be expelled from the lands, or brought in subjection to the rightful owners. Whether the King was more influenced by such a view of the case, in his present attempt, or by a desire to strike a blow at a nation he disliked, is a matter which it may not be easy, and which at this time, it is not important, to determine. The first act toward the completion of the purpose in view, was the execution of a grant conveying the country in question, to his Royal Highness James the Duke of York and Albany, the brother of the King.

This grant was made on the 12th of March, 1663-4, it gave the lands lying between the western side of Connecticut River, and the eastern side of Delaware Bay, including Long Island, Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard, and the Islands in their vicinity.2 It also conferred upon the Duke the powers of government, both civil and military, within the boundaries mentioned. Orders were directly given for the preparation of an armament to be despatched to America, in order to put the Duke in possession of his new domain. As a collateral object, it was also proposed, that a visit should be paid to the New England colonies. These colonies were not in such a condition in regard to the parent State, as was suited to the views of the King, and the attempt to subjugate the adjacent province held by the Dutch, was supposed to afford an opportunity for a general adjustment of the affairs of the country. To carry out this purpose, a body of Commissioners was appointed to attend the expedition.

A rumour of the meditated movement was soon borne to America. Governor Stuyvesant was informed that a squadron had been collected and was lying in Portsmouth, which was believed to be destined to New Netherland, and would shortly set sail. Information of similar import was received in New England, and also, that a commission had been appointed to investigate the state of the colonies, and to settle and determine the policy of the

Whitehead's History of East Jersey, p. 23.

1

country. The visit of the officers of the King to his English subjects, was far more dreaded than desired. It was apprehended that the feelings entertained by the Sovereign toward the Puritan sectaries were not of the most favorable kind, and it was possible that he might still be disposed to look upon the country, as the asylum of the regicides. The event was quietly awaited.

In New Netherland little was attempted, and nothing could be effected to ward off the danger. Stuyvesant proposed that an enlistment should be made "of every third man, as had more than once been done in the Fatherland;" but the people were little inclined to enter the lists. But the state of feeling in the English colonies in regard to the expected visit, soon became known in the neighboring province, and the knowledge excited a glimmering hope in the mind of Stuyvesant; he conceived the idea that an union might be formed with his ancient opponents, or at least, that they might be prevailed upon to observe neutrality. To secure this object, he made a voyage to Boston, and was received by Endicott, the Governor of Massachusetts, with entire civility, and even with an appearance of respect.3

But whatever were the doubts or fears of the English in regard to the dispositions of their Sovereign toward themselves, they were not inclined to enter into any agreement which might favor the Dutch. The proposals of Stuyvesant were rejected both in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and he returned from his fruitless visit only in time to meet the invasion of the province of New Netherland.

The squadron despatched to America for the purpose already mentioned, was under the command of Sir Robert Carre, but the military forces were commanded by Colonel Nicholls, who was also to have command in the country to be reduced, and these two officers, with George Cartwright and Samuel Maverick, were the Commissioners to the colonies.

Upon the arrival of the fleet at Boston, the Commissioners exhibited their credentials, and also produced instructions to the colonists requiring that assistance should be given for the reduction of New Netherland. This requisition was presented to Endicott,

"Grahames' Colonial History, vol. 2, p. 179.

the Governor of Massachusetts, who replied, that he had no authority to order a military levy without the consent of the general court, and the Commissioners were not inclined to await so tardy a movement. They therefore departed, leaving an order for the forces to follow.4

The application of the Commissioners in Connecticut, was met with a greater degree of alacrity; Governor Winthrop, with a number of volunteers, immediately joined themselves to the armament, and proceeded in the enterprize. The squadron, which consisted of four ships, appeared before the principal city of New Netherland, in August, 1664. Director Stuyvesant was sufficiently apprized of the designs of the English, yet, as no formal declaration of war had been made, the way seemed open for a mission of inquiry, which it was probably hoped might lead at least, to favorable negotiation. Accordingly, a deputation was sent to the English Commander, by which the Governor requested "with all respect and civility," that he might be informed concerning the meaning and intent of the approach of the ships, and their continuance in the harbor, which it was said, "hath caused admiration in us, not having received any timely knowledge of the same." Colonel Nicholls returned an answer equally courteous in form, but decisive in import. He informed the Governor and Council that his Majesty of Great Britain, having an unquestionable right and title to this part of America, and well knowing how much it would derogate from his crown and dignity, to suffer any foreigners to usurp dominion, and inhabit there; had given commandment to require a surrender of such forts or places of strength as were in possession of the Dutch. He accordingly demanded that the town known by the name of "Manhattoes," with all the forts belonging thereto, should be surrendered into his hands, and declared that every man who should submit, should be secure of life, liberty, and estate, but that all who should make opposition, would bring upon themselves the calamities of war. Governor Winthrop, who was known to the Governor and people of New Netherland, also

4

• A regiment of two hundred men was afterwards raised and equipped under the direction of the general court, and preparations were in progress for their departure, when information was received of the fall of New Amsterdam.