New

danger, and of the necessity of caution in his course. England had become greatly superior to New Netherland, in numbers and in strength, and the dispositions of her people were entirely manifest. Stuyvesant was aware of his position, and gave full information to his superiors of the state of affairs, and urged the adoption of the means of defence. He informed the States General and the West India Company, that "the demands, encroachments and usurpations of the English, gave the people here the greatest concern." In 1660 he wrote, "your honors imagine that the troubles in England will prevent any attempt on these parts, alas, they are as ten to one in number to us, and are able to deprive us of the country when they please."

At the same time that the storm was gathering upon New Netherland from without, its internal condition was not favorable to vigorous exertion for its own protection. Where there is no popular freedom, the government can have little hold upon popular affection; a people will not be easily aroused in defence of institutions which no experience of advantage has taught them to value.

The government of New Netherland had continued nearly the same from the time of its erection; except the special institutions which had been established under the Charter of Liberties and Exemptions, but little alteration had been made, and through the latter instrument, no security for popular rights had been offered or obtained. Under the general control of the West India Company the government continued to be administered by the Director General and Council. They made laws, appointed officers, and decided all controversies. The changes that had occurred with the increase of population, and the extension of interests, were attended with no corresponding advances in the provisions relating to civil and political rights.

At different periods attempts had been made by the settlers to obtain some melioration of their state. They became imbued to an extent with the views which were introduced by the emigrants from the neighboring colonies; the idea of popular freedom was transplanted from New England, to New Netherland. Many English had settled at Manhattan and other places in the province, and were indulged in the exercise of some of the privileges and powers, they had elsewhere enjoyed. The example was not with

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.

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. 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.

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.