CHAPTER VI.

NEW NETHERLAND, NEW SWEDEN, AND NEW ENGLAND.

PETER STUYVESANT was next appointed as Director in Chief in New Netherland. His commission was dated on the 26th of July, 1646, and included the province of New Netherland, and the Islands of Curacoa, Bonaire and Aruba, on the Spanish Main. He arrived in the country in May, 1647. He had long been employed as a military officer in the service of Holland, and was reputed to be courageous, prudent and firm.

At an early period the new Director applied himself to a removal of the difficulties and dangers with which the province was surrounded, from the hostile dispositions of the Indians, and the doubtful attitude of the English, and the Swedes. He concluded a treaty of peace with the natives which continued unbroken during the whole of his administration. But the differences with the English were not of a nature to be readily terminated; at this time, the principal matters in dispute related to the claims of New Haven and Connecticut, to the ownership, and exclusive possession of lands.

The New Haven people were not disposed to relinquish the claims they had advanced to lands upon the Delaware, and in 1649, Governor Eaton, on behalf of the colony, made a new application to the New England Commissioners. He proposed that effectual measures should be immediately adopted for securing the rights of New Haven, by taking possession of the territory in question, and planting colonies thereon. The Commissioners did not agree at the time, to engage in any attempt for the purpose proposed, but they recognized the rights of the people of New

'Frost's History, vol. 2., p. 47.

Haven to lands on the Delaware, and left the owners at liberty to cultivate their interests therein, in such manner as they should

deem proper.2

The Director of New Netherland did not fail to perceive that the aspect of affairs was threatening, and he endeavored to provide for the danger. Application was made to the West India Company, for the necessary authority and aid, but the corporation refused to give sanction to any measures of violence or force. "War," they said, "cannot in any event be to our advantage; the New England people are too powerful for us."s

Negotiation was therefore resorted to, and Stuyvesant himself, repaired to Hartford in order to effect an adjustment of the points in dispute. A conference with the Commissioners led to a resolve that Delegates should be appointed who were to represent the interests of their respective parties, and to devise some plan of agreement. After long discussions, articles of agreement were concluded upon by the delegates, on the 19th of September, 1650.

* Extract from the proceedings of an extraordinary meeting of the Commissioners for the United Colonies, held at Boston, July 23d., 1649.

From New Haven general court, it was propounded to the Commissioners what course might be taken for the speedy planting of Delaware Bay. The title some merchants at New Haven have by purchase from the Indians, to considerable tracts of lands on both sides of the river, was opened; and the Commissioners did read and consider what had passed at a former meeting of theirs, in Anno Domini 1643. A writing delivered into New Haven Court, by Mr. Leech, concerning the healthfulness of the place, the goodness of the land, conveniency of the lesser rivers, with the advantage of a well ordered trade there, was also perused. The Commissioners with the premisses considering the present state of the colonies, the English in most plantations already wanting hands to carry on their necessary occasions, thought fit not to send forth men to possess and plant Delaware, nor by any public act or consent, to encourage, or allow the planting thereof; and if any shall voluntarily go from any of the colonies to Delaware, and shall without leave and consent of New Haven, sit down upon any part or parts thereof, or in any other respect shall be injurious to them in their title and interests there, the colonies will neither protect nor own them therein. The New Haven merchants being notwithstanding left to their just liberty, to dispose, improve, or plant the land they have purchased in those parts or any part thereof as they shall see cause. Hazard's Register, vol. 1.,

3 Bancroft's History, vol. 2., p. 295.

p. 17.

This agreement was in the nature of a provisional treaty, to be confirmed by the respective governments in Europe. It gave to the English the whole of the territory on the Connecticut River, except such portions as were actually possessed by the Dutch. Long Island was also divided between the two nations.

In regard to the interests of the New Haven claimants, the agreement was quite indecisive; it left the matters in issue nearly in their original condition. It was stated that for the time, the parties were left at liberty to improve their interests for planting and trading as they should see cause.'

Frost's History, vol. 2., p. 47, Bancroft's History, vol. 2., p. 295.

* Articles of agreement made and concluded at Hartford upon Connecticut, September 19th, 1650, betwixt the delegates of the honored Commissioners of the United English Colonies, and the delegates of Peter Stuyvesant, Governor General of New Netherland.

1. Upon serious consideration of the difference and grievances propounded by the two English colonies of Connecticut and New Haven, and the answer made by the honored Dutch Governor, Peter Stuyvesant, Esq. According to the trust and power committed unto us as Arbitrators or Delegates betwixt the said parties, we find that most of the offences or grievances were things done in the time and by the order and command of Monsieur William Keift, the former Governor, and that the present honored Governor, is not duly prepared to make answer to them; we therefore think meet to respite the full consideration and judgment concerning them, till the present Governor may acquaint the High and Mighty States and West India Company, with the particulars, that so due reparation may accordingly be made.

2. The Commissioners of New Haven complained of several high and hostile injuries which they and others of that jurisdiction have received from and by order of the aforesaid Monsieur Keift, in Delaware Bay and River, and in their return thence as by their former propositions and complaints may more fully appear; and beside the English right claimed by a patent, presented and showed several purchases they have made on both sides the River and Bay of Delaware of several large tracts of land unto and somewhat above the Dutch house or fort there, with a consideration given to the said Sachems and their companies, for the same acknowledged and cleared by the hands of the Indians, whom they affirmed were the true proprietors, testified by many witnesses; they also affirmed that according to their apprehensions, they have sustained £1000 damages, partly by the Swedish Governor but chiefly by order from Monsieur Keift, and therefore required due satisfaction and a peaceable possession of the aforesaid lands to enjoy and improve according to their just right. The Dutch Governor

Under these circumstances, the New Haven colony resolved that another attempt should be made to establish themselves upon their territory, and early on the following year a company departed for the Delaware. They had received a commission from Governor Eaton, who also wrote an amicable letter to the Governor of New Netherland, giving him information of the object in view, and also stating, that in accordance with the agreement at Hartford, the settlers would occupy their own lands, and give no disturbance to others. But Director Stuyvesant was resolved that no advantage should be drawn by his opponents from the treaty that had been made, and when the English presented themselves at the Manhattans, he immediately caused them to be arrested, and their vessel secured. He also compelled them to enter into an engagement not to proceed to the Delaware, and threatened, that if any English should be found there, they should be seized, and sent prisoners to Holland. The company were without the means of resistance, and were obliged to return to New Haven.

Directly upon their return, a petition was prepared and addressed to the Commissioners of the United Colonies, setting forth the injury that had been done by the Dutch, and asking that some course should be adopted, for defending the property and persons of the petitioners, and for maintaining "the honor of the English nation."

by way of answer, affirmed and asserted the right and title to Delaware or the South River, as they call it, and to the lands there as belonging to the High and Mighty States and the West India Company, and professed that he must protest against any other claim; but is not provided to make any such proofs as in such a treaty might be expected, nor had he commission to treat or conclude any thing therein; upon consideration whereof, we the said Arbitrators or Delegates wanting sufficient light to issue or determine any thing on the premises, are necessitated to leave both parties in statu quo prius to plead and improve their just interests at Delaware for planting and trading as they shall see cause; only we desire that all proceedings there as in other places, may be carried on in love and peace, till the right may be further considered and justly issued either in Europe or here, by the two States of England and Holland."

The agreement made by the colonies was never ratified. It was assented to by the Government of Holland, but was not confirmed in England.-Bancroft. "To The Honored Commissioners for the United Colonies now assembled at New Haven:

"The Honorable Petition of Jasper Graine, William Tuttill and many

After considering the matters presented in the petition, the Commissioners resolved, that a letter should be directed in their name, to the Director of New Netherland. In this communication they stated, that the conduct of Stuyvesant was regarded by all the colonies as directly contrary to the agreement he had made; that the New Haven settlers had only designed to improve their just rights, and that the terms of the treaty expressly allowed of planting and trading upon lands, as the parties might choose. They also demanded that satisfaction should be made to their friends and confederates, for the damage that had been done. But the Commissioners informed the people of New Haven, that they did not think meet at the time, to enter into any engagement against

other inhabitants of New Haven and Sotocket." After some preface the Petition proceeds, "and whereas your petitioners streightened in the respective plantations, and finding this part of the country full, or affording little encouragement to begin any new plantations for their own comfort and convenience of posterity, did upon a serious consideration of the premises and upon encouragement of the treaty between the honorable Commissioners and the Dutch Governor, the last year at Connecticut by agreement and with consent of the said merchants and others, resolve upon a more difficult remove to Delaware; hoping that our aims and endeavours would be acceptable to God and to his people in these colonies, being assured our title to the place was just; and resolving (through the help of God) in all our carriages and proceeding, to hold and maintain a neighborly correspondence both with the Dutch and Swedes, as was assured them both by the tenor of the Commissioners, and by letters of the honored Governor of this jurisdiction; to these ends, and with these purposes preparations were made, in the winter, a vessel was hired, and at least fifty of us set forward in the spring and expecting the fruit of that wholesome advice given at Hartford the last year in the case by the Manhattoes, which we might have avoided, and from our honored governor presented a letter to the Dutch Governor, upon perusal whereof, (without further provocation) he arrested the two messengers and committed them to a private house, prisoners under a guard, that done, he sent for the master of the vessel to come on shore to speak with him, and committed him also, after which two more of the company coming on shore and desiring to speak with their neighbors under restraint, he committed them as the rest, then desiring to see our commissions and copy them out, promising to return them the next day, though the copies were taken, and the commissions demanded, he refused to deliver them, and kept them, and the men imprisoned till they were forced to engage under their hands not to proceed on their voyage to the Delaware, but with loss of time and charge, to return to New Haven." &c.