USA > New York > New York City > History of New Netherland; or, New York under the Dutch, Vol. II > Part 23
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250
HISTORY OF
BOOK natives had not been paid for their soil, whilst in the pre- V. amble to this address they maintain that they had pur- 1653. chased their lands from the savages.
The only point the English remonstrants were called on to consider was, how the province was to be protected against the robberies committed by the English priva- teers. That they not only neglected, but declared their unwillingness to act against their countrymen, or any ves- sels bearing a commission from the Parliament : it was idle therefore for them to seek protection by lawful means.
In regard to the appointments to office, " the English not only enjoy the nomination of their magistrates, but some of them absolutely usurp their election, and actually appoint whatever magistrates they please, paying no re- gard to the religion these profess." Some, especially in Gravesend, are Libertines and Anabaptists, which is un- questionably in contradiction to the general laws of the Netherlands. The magistrates of New Amsterdam were not yet permitted to nominate their successors. The Director and Council, until they should receive orders to the contrary from the Patroons, had reserved this right to themselves for "momentous reasons." "For if their rule was to become a cynosure-if the nomination and election of magistrates were to be left to the populace, who were the most interested, then each would vote for one of his own stamp-the thief, for a thief; the rogue, the tippler, the smuggler, for a brother in iniquity, that he might enjoy greater latitude in his vices and frauds."
It was a falsehood that magistrates had been appointed contrary to law and without the consent of the people. " The magistrates of New Amsterdam are proposed to the commonalty in front of the City Hall, by their names and surnames, each in his quality, before they are admitted or sworn into office. The question is then put, does any one object ? The same rule is observed when officers of the militia are nominated. Their names are submitted to the Company ; those of sergeants, or other inferior officers, to their section."
Each Lord and Patroon in Fatherland, has the right to
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NEW NETHERLAND.
appoint, within his seignory, his own sheriff, secretary CHAP. clerks and delegates. Rensselaerswyck, Staten Island, III. "yea, even the village of Gravesend," exercise that right. It is strange, indeed, that these remonstrants dare, now, to deny to the Directors, absolute Lords and Patroons, the same privilege. The petitioners were bound to obey whatever orders or proclamations emanated from the Director and Council. They had been warned not to purchase any lands from the Indians, nor to enter on pos- session thereof, without a deed from the Director-general. If there be any who have not such a title, he is bound to obtain one within six months ; otherwise his right becomes forfeit. The lands in the villages of Middleburgh and Mid- wout had been granted to individuals, who may obtain their deeds whenever they choose to demand them. "But these shall never be carried to their homes."
The large tracts of land already granted in colonie, to Baron Van Nederhorst, Van Rensselaer, Van der Capellen, Van Werckhoven, De Hulter, and Melyn, have been con- ceded by orders from the Directors, who are not respon- sible to their subjects for their acts. If these are not settled conformably to the provisions of the charter, the Directors may act as they deem proper ; but the remon- strants, in discussing this subject, should not forget to look to themselves. Heemstede, Vlissingen, and Gravesend claim a much larger territory, a considerable part of which is neither settled nor improved. Now that the time draws nigh for the collection of the Company's debts, they art- fully throw, as the proverb says, " a cat in the thread," and pretend that they owe nothing ; " and because, forsooth, the Company cannot, or will not protect them," they propose a union " with a few malignants," for the purpose of estab- lishing " a new form of government." " It is passing strange that the Burgomasters and Schepens should seize this dan- gerous opportunity to conspire with a nation so much sus- pected by them ; in whom they lately said no confidence could be placed ; who were ever brooding mischief, but never performing their promises, and who might, to-mor- row, ally themselves with the North; with other villain-
1653.
252
HISTORY OF
BOOK ous insinuations, which we now pass by, concluding, for V. brevity's sake, with the remark-'Quid magis mutabile 1653. vulgo ?'"
This lecture, lengthy though it was, and disposed in all its parts with all the art by which sophistry could excite prejudice, dazzle the understanding, and confound the judg- ment, had not the effect of silencing the convention, or imposing on the common sense of its members. In terms Dec. 13. equally strong, they vindicated the legality of their proceed- ings by appealing to " the law of Nature," which authorizes all men to associate and convene together to protect their liberties and property. They again called on the Execu- tive to reply to the several points of their remonstrance, and threatened, "in case of refusal," to protest, and appeal to their superiors, the High and Mighty, the States General, and the Privileged West India Company.
This missive roused the anger of the Director-general Dec. 14. to the point of culmination. He denied absolutely that the laws of Nature authorized public meetings for the protection of public liberty. Magistrates, and "not all men," were authorized so to assemble. "We derive our authority from God and the Company, not from a few ignorant subjects, and we alone can call the inhabitants together." "But such manners and forms of meetings- such insults, unprovoked affronts, and contempt of the supreme authority, the Director and Council were bound to resist, yea, to punish;" and the parties were ordered forthwith to disperse, " on pain of an arbitrary correction." Dec. 16. A letter was next sent to the villages of Breukelen, Amersfoort, and Midwout, commanding them not to permit their delegates to appear again at any meeting at New Amsterdam, at this conjuncture, as it can cause nothing but mischief.1
The leaders of the convention were not, however, will- ing to lie down in silence under the censures which the Director-general had heaped upon them, and which, they were aware, would find their way to Holland. The
1 Alb. Rec. ix., 5, 15, 17-24, 26, 28-46, 47-56; Hol. Doc. xv., 168-175; New Amsterdam Rec. Anno 1653.
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NEW NETHERLAND.
magistrates of Gravesend wrote at some length to the CHAP. department at Amsterdam, to acquaint them of what had passed ; to testify their fidelity and allegiance to their 1653. Dec. 27.
High Mightinesses and the Company, " under whose pro- tection they had placed themselves without any intention to revolt, though perhaps representations to the contrary might be made." They would not allude to the ill-treat- ment they had received, though it might be considered unmerited by their town, "one of the oldest on Long Island under the Dutch jurisdiction, and which has been ever faithful, as well to the Directors as to their present Governor." They endeavored, by all means in their power, to strengthen the country, by increasing the number of its colonists, under expectation of an increased grant of land, " which. though solemnly promised, was never obtained, but to their sorrow indefinitely postponed." A considerable tract had been granted to the Honorable Mr. Van Werck- hoven, within the limits of their patent ; this included various plantations belonging to Englishmen, who culti- vated them "long before the Indian war," but who now, "reduced to poverty and filled with fear, dare not again settle on their former residences." The spot on which this new Patroon had erected his dwelling, was really the property of Ambrose Loudon, who, on seeking for redress, was threatened with imprisonment, " and was afterwards actually imprisoned, we know not on what pretence." The grant of such immense tracts to private persons, under color of colonization, can never promote the population of the country, nor contribute, in any way, to the prosperity of the province, " and we hope we may be permitted to say, without offence, that so long as you shall see through the eyes of two or three persons, who, perhaps, have their own profit only in view, and are prompted by ambition, without re- gard to the interests of the commonalty or that of the Company, so long ye cannot obtain a true statement of the real condition of this province, nor of your own private concerns." " Having, as born freemen, been blessed by a beneficent God with a sufficient understanding to be sen- sible of our dutiful obedience to our superiors, so, on the
254
HISTORY OF
BOOK other hand, we appreciate the high value of a lawful liberty, V. which we claim, and which, if granted, and if it please 1653. God in his mercy to reconcile the differences between the two commonwealths, we shall not only be gratified but thankful." "For if your Honors lose this country, though we sincerely wish to be long favored with your protection, it will be through the means of those who are entrusted with the chief command." The Dutch at the Manhattans fol- Dec. 30. lowed with a letter to the Burgomasters of the city of Amsterdam, couched in terms equally respectful.1
These, unfortunately, were not the only troubles of this year. The public treasury was in an utter state of dilapi- dation ; the duties received from exported furs amounted annually to between eight and nine thousand dollars, a sum totally inadequate to meet the demands on the govern- ment. By means of a loan-the first public debt ever con- tracted in this province-the city had been partially en- closed, but the fort was still unrepaired. The Burgomasters July 28. and Schepens were, therefore, called on to fulfil their promises, and furnish those supplies which by their sig- July 29. natures they had promised. The court replied that it had redeemed its promises, as the accounts would prove, and, therefore, prayed to be excused from burthening the citizens any further, just then, as they were "altogether in the back-ground." The magistrates followed up this Aug. 2. refusal by calling the burghers together at the City Hall, to whom they submitted the demands of the government. It was unanimously resolved, "not to contribute anything until the Director-general should surrender the whole of the wine and beer excise : means would then be provided to meet whatever expenses might occur." Stuyvesant refused to submit to these terms, and the citizens, there- upon, determined "by no means to contribute anything, unless he acceded to their terms and paid the excise into the city treasury."
1 The Gravesend address was signed by George Baxter, N. Hubbard, W. Wilkins, John Morris, Schout; certified to have been signed by order of the town ; John Tilton, town clerk. Alb. Rec. viii., 53-58. Part of the above let- ter is in Hol.Doc. ix., 256-260 ; xv., 165-167.
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NEW NETHERLAND.
The obstinacy of the burghers; the insecure state of CHAP. the fort; the low state of the public funds, and the war~ III. between England and Holland, at length forced Stuyve- 1653. sant, never very pliant, to yield to the popular demands, Nov. 11. and the principal burghers and citizens were again called together to receive communication of the fact. But the proceeds of the excise were withal inadequate to the public wants. The citizens were therefore asked if they were prepared to submit to the imposition of new duties for the support of the city. They unanimously replied in the affirmative, and declared, under their signatures, their willingness " to obey the Burgomasters and Schepens in all things, as good subjects are in duty bound."1
Notwithstanding the announcement of the magistrates, Stuyvesant, it seems, did not give up the whole pro- duce of the revenue. Considerable excitement was the consequence, and the Burgomasters and Schepens deter- mined to go "collectively" to the Director and Coun- Nov. 19. cil, and demand the surrender of the entire excise, as then possessed by the Company, or permission to resign their offices, " since it is incompatible to continue thus any longer." But Stuyvesant would grant neither the one prayer nor the other. He had no power, he said, to accept their resignation, and he could not give up the whole excise. Thus forced to continue in office, the Bur- gomasters and Schepens again returned to the charge and Nov. 25. reiterated their former demand. On condition that they should keep the public works in repair, maintain the civil and ecclesiastical servants, and lease the excise to the highest bidder, " after the manner of Fatherland," the Director-general consented at last to give up the excise on beer and wine "consumed within the city." An additional duty of eight florins ($3.20) was at the same
1 Johannes van Beeck, Pieter Cock, J. J. Schepmoes, J. J. Kuyper, Pieter Caespersen van Naarden, Claes Bordingh, Francois Fyn, J. J. de Jongh, Jacob van Dam, Coenraet Ten Eyck, Hans Rivers, Isaak de Foreest, Dirck Schelluyne, Hendrik Kip, Lambert Huybertzsen Mol, Pieter Cornelissen van der Veen, Abraham La Noy, Jan Laurens Appel, Govert Loockermans, Johannes Pieter- sen van Brugge, Daniel Litschoe, Jacob van Couwenhoven, and Oloff Steven- sen.
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HISTORY OF
BOOK
V.
time imposed on each hogshead of French wine, and four
florins per anker of ten gallons on Spanish wine, brandy, 1653. and other distilled liquors, " which are used in this country in the greatest profusion." Still dissatisfied with their limited privileges, the Burgomasters and Schepens now Dec. 24. determined to appeal to the Directors in Holland for power to administer the affairs of their municipality "according to the form of government of the beloved city of Amster- dam, as far as the same is practicable ;" to choose a Burgher Schout, or at least nominate a double number from which the Director-general and Council might commission one. " Not having a sheriff of our own, we consider that we have not a complete bench of justice. The office of city Schout was, in their opinion, incompatible with that of the Company's Fiscaal, who "imprisons and releases citizens without the court's knowledge, and executes the court's judgments with contempt." They therefore re- quested these offices to be separated. They also demand- ed the whole of the excise without limitation ; and as that did not amount to more than a third of the salaries for which they were to provide, and only sufficed to keep the public works in repair, they asked for power to levy new imposts and taxes, and to lease the ferry between their city and Breukelen. They called also for authority to ascertain what had been borrowed on bonds signed by the Director-general for the public defence, amounting, it was said, to 9000 guilders ; to execute transfers, deeds of conveyance, and mortgages on property within their juris- diction ; to have a city seal separate from that of the province, and a goodly quantity of munitions of war, with- out which the country would decrease " and at length fall to the ground."1
These documents, together with the remonstrance of the convention and all the papers connected therewith, were taken to Holland by François de Bleue, advocate, who was, at the same time, authorized to support the same by all the legitimate means in his power.
I New Amsterdam Rec. Anno 1653 ; Alb. Rec. viii., 96, 97; ix., 6, 7, 9.
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NEW NETHERLAND.
CHAPTER IV.
The Burgomasters and Schepens demand again the privilege of nominating their successors-Refused-Piracies on the Sound-Measures to prevent these-Libellons pamphlet published in London against New Netherland- The Protector sends a fleet against the province-Hostile preparations in New England-Connecticut seizes Fort Good Hope-Stuyvesant receives in- formation of the preparations at Boston-Summons the Council-Places New Amsterdam in a state of defence-The English on Long Island plot against their adopted country-Providence favors the Dutch-Peace between Holland and England-Action of the Amsterdam Directors on the remonstrance of 1653-Stuyvesant proceeds against the disaffected of Gravesend-Baxter and Hubbard dismissed from office-Reply of the Directors to the petition of the Burgomasters and Schepens for increased privilege-A sheriff for the city commissioned-Declines to act-Renewal of the difficulties between Stuyve- sant and the city authorities-Reassumes the excise, and pays the salaries of the city officers-The views of the Burgomasters declared to be visionary- Expulsion of the Dutch by the Swedes from the South River-Stuyvesant re- taliates-Proceedings in Europe regarding the boundary question-Plan of the Directors-Is forwarded to London-The Dutch Ambassadors' remarks- Further representations on the part of the Directors-Cromwell refuses to decide without hearing New England.
THE period for which the first set of Burgomasters and CHAP. Schepens had been appointed being now about to expire, ~ IV. the acting magistrates applied to the Director and Council 1654. for leave to make a double nomination from which their Jan. 26. successors for the ensuing year should be selected, and also requested that some compensation might be allowed them for their official services. The first part of this petition was refused ; " for the sake of peace and harmony, Jan. 27. and for the welfare of the city," the actual magistrates were continued in office, and the Director-general con- tented himself with filling two vacancies in the board of Schepens. As the city magistrates were "for the most part such persons as must maintain their houses and families by trade, farming or mechanical labor," the Burgo- masters were each allowed three hundred and fifty guilders, the Schepens two hundred and fifty a year.1
In the mean time, the piracies on the Sound, and the 1 New Amst. Rec. ; Alb. Rec. viii., 279, 288; ix., 70, 71.
VOL. II. 17
258
HISTORY OF
BOOK robberies on Long Island continuing, the magistrates of V. New Amsterdam proposed to the Director and Council, 1654. that a force of forty men be raised from the several Feb. 10. districts in the following proportions :-
From the Manhattans, 8 Middleburgh and Mespath
Breukelen, the Ferry, and the Walloon quarter, 4
Kill, 3
Gravesend,
3
Heemstede,
4
Vlissingen, 3
Rensselaerswyck,
4 Amersfoort,
2
Beverwyck,
4
Middelwout, 2
Staten Island,
2 Paulus Hook, 1
Mar. 23.
Letters were next addressed to Breukelen, Amersfoort and Middelwout, requesting them "to lend their aid at this critical conjuncture to further whatever may advance the April 7. public defence." This invitation was cordially responded to. These villages resolved on a levy en masse in case of invasion, and detailed every third man, in the mean time, to act as minute men, who were pledged to proceed at a moment's notice, wherever warned.
April 8. The Director and Council determined now to dispatch an expedition against the privateers, and put into com- mission accordingly a number of yachts. But as these preparations might, if unexplained, excite jealousy and misunderstanding among the neighboring colonies, Burgo- master Krygier and Attorney-general Van Tienhoven April 14. were deputed to inform Gov. Eaton, that their sole object was to protect commerce, and to punish public depredators. A proclamation was issued at the same time, forbidding all persons, under penalty of confiscation of their property and banishment, to harbor any pirates, for the arrest of each of whom a reward of one hundred thalers was offered ; and every stranger travelling with- out a passport, was ordered to be arrested and detained, until he gave a satisfactory account of himself.1 But a danger more imminent than had ever yet threatened New Netherland, impended now over that province, which, whilst it absorbed the attention and demanded the undi-
1 Alb. Rec. vii., 264-266; ix., 80, 81, 107-113, 115-117, 120 ; N. A. Rec.
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NEW NETHERLAND.
vided energies of the authorities, diffused the most profound CHAP. alarm throughout the whole community.
The agents of New Haven and Connecticut found the public 1654. mind in England already strongly poisoned against the colo- nists of New Netherland, by a " most infamous lying libel at which the devil in hell would have been startled." This pamphlet, though published in London, was evidently of American manufacture, and was entitled " The second part of the Amboyna Tragedy ; or a Faithful Account of a bloody, treacherous and cruel Plot of the Dutch in America, purporting the Total Ruin and Murder of all the English Colonists in New England." It charged the Dutch with having "stirred by presents and promises four principal heathen sagamores, great princes in the countries of the Manhattans, Narraganses, Pequots, and Massachusetts," " to make an assault on the English on a Sunday, when they would be altogether in their meeting-houses, and murder and burn all which they could effect."" By means of these and similar representations, those interested suc- ceeded in obtaining an armament from the Protector, con- sisting of four ships, the Raven, the Church, the Augustine, and the Hope, for the reduction of the Manhattans and other places belonging to the Dutch. This expedition was placed under the command of Major Robert Sedg- Feb. 27. wick and Captain John Leverett, who were instructed to proceed, with the least delay possible, to some port in New England, and communicate the Lord Protector's letter, with which they were provided, to the several Governors of Connecticut, New Haven, Plymouth and Massachusetts, who were warmly urged to lend their co-operation and aid, in raising such land forces as were necessary to ensure success. On the country being conquered. all cruelty to the inhabitants was to be strictly avoided, and those so disposed, were to be encouraged to remain under the English government.2
1 For this pamphlet, see App. G.
2 Cromwell's letter, and the other papers relating to this expedition, will be found in Thurloe, i., 721, 722; ii., 259, 418, 419, 425. Smith, in his History of New York, i., 6, gives Richard Cromwell the credit of having authorized this expedition against the Manhattans. This is altogether erroneous. And it is
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HISTORY OF
BOOK V. 1654. Owing to adverse winds and other unfavorable circum- stances, the flag ship of this fleet did not arrive in Boston until the beginning of June, though the Hope had cast anchor in that harbor five weeks before. The General Court at Hartford, impatient of delay, had already com- menced hostilities. Paying no regard to Underhill's pro- ceedings of the previous year, which they now virtually April 6. annulled, they passed the following act sequestrating Fort Good Hope :-
" This Court, considering the Order sent over from the Council of State, by authority of the Parliament of Eng- land, that as wee expect all due encouragement, aid and assistance from the said commonwealth of England as the state and condition of affairs will admit, so it is expected that wee should in all cases so demean ourselves against the Dutch as against those that have declared themselves enemies to the commonwealth of England ; Do therefore order and declare that the Dutch House, the Hope, with the lands, buildings and fences thereunto belonging, be hereby sequestered and reserved, all particular claims, or pretended right thereunto notwithstanding, in the behalf of the commonwealth of England, till a true trial may be had of the premises ; and in the mean time this Court pro- hibits all persons whatsoever from improving of the prem- ises by virtue of any former title had, made, or given to them, or any of them, by any of the Dutch nation, or any other, without the approbation of this Court, or except it be by virtue of power and order received from them for their so doing ; and whatever rent for any part of the premises, in any of their hands, it shall not be disposed of but according to what order they shall receive from this court or the magistrates thereof."1
difficult to understand how Smith could have committed the error, inasmuch as he refers to Thurloe as his authority. Whoever will take the pains to turn to these "Collections," will find it asserted, (vol. ii., 419,) that Sedgwick and Leverett were " commissioned by his Highness, Oliver, Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland." Indeed, the date of the expedition is enough to show that it could not have been authorized by Richard Cromwell, who did not suc- ceed his father until 1658.
1 I am indebted to the Honorable J. W. Stuart, of Hartford, for a copy of the above Doc. Trumbull dates the act erroneously, March 15th, 1654. Under-
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NEW NETHERLAND.
This was followed by the appointment of commissioners CHAP. to meet the English commanders at Boston, a proceeding IV. already adopted by New Haven and Plymouth. But Mas- sachusetts, not willing to recede from the position which she had already taken, contented herself with granting permission to raise five hundred volunteers within her jurisdiction. In a few days the fleet was victualled, and by the end of the month, a force of nine hundred foot and a troop of horse was ready to march. Three hundred of these troops were from Massachusetts, two hundred from Connecticut, one hundred and thirty-three from New Haven, and two hundred from the fleet. New Plymouth failed in her promise altogether.2
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