USA > New York > New York City > History of New Netherland; or, New York under the Dutch, Vol. II > Part 48
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Nicolls now perceiving that the Dutch Governor was averse to the surrender, ordered two of his ships to dis- embark the troops below Breukelen, where a company of cavalry and a party of volunteers had already taken up a position. Hyde, the commander of the squadron, was directed, at the same time, to lay the other two frigates broadside before the city .? Stuyvesant was standing on one of the points of the fort, when he perceived the frigates approaching. It was the critical moment on which hung the fate of the city and the lives of its inhabi- tants. The gunner stood by with burning match, pre- pared, on being commanded, to fire on the foe, and the
1 Alb. Rec. xxii., 317, et seq. ; Book of General Entries, i., 15-20 ; from which Smith copies, i., 20-26.
§ Rev. Dominie Drisius' letter ; letter of the Schout, Burgomasters, and Schepens to the West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam, dated 16th September, 1664; N. Y. Rec.
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HISTORY OF
BOOK VI. Director seemed inclined to give the necessary orders. The Reverend Messrs. Megapolensis interfered at this 1664. important conjuncture, and besought the Director not to be the first to shed human blood, but to permit the enemy to begin hostilities. Stuyvesant thereupon left Councillor De Sille, with fifty men, in charge of the fort, whilst he himself repaired to the city with a hundred others, to resist, and if possible, to repel the English, in case they attempted a landing.1 Though resolute to defend his post, he still hoped that some accommodation could be agreed Sep. 4. upon. With this expectation, he wrote again to Nicolls declaring that he felt obliged, in obedience to orders, to stand the storm, though he doubted not a great deal of blood would be shed on the occurrence of the assault. To prevent this, he now sent Councillor De Decker, Secretary Van Ruyven, Burgomaster Steenwyck, and Schepen Cousseau to find, if possible, some means to come to an understanding.2 Nicolls would only execute his mission ; to accomplish that he hoped to have further con- versation with them on the morrow at the Manhattans. " Friends," he was told, " would be welcome, if they came in a friendly manner." He should approach, he said, with ships and soldiers, and that would be a bold messenger indeed, who should dare to come on board, when his ships
1 Evert Willemsen Munnik declares that when the aforesaid frigates passed the fort, Director-general Stuyvesant acted as if he would have ordered the constable to fire on them. But the ministers Megapolensis, father and son, led him aside and persuaded him to depart. Hol. Doc. xii., 25, 145 ; xiii., 54, 55, 94. The Directors in Holland subsequently censured Stuyvesant severely for his conduct on this occasion. "It is an act which can never be justified, that a Director-general shall stand looking between the gabions whilst two hostile frigates pass the fort and the mouths of twenty pieces of cannon, among which were several demi-cartoons, and give no order to prevent it ; but, on the contrary, lending an ear to preachers and other chicken-hearted persons, demeaning himself as if he were willing to fire, yet notwithstanding, allow himself to be led in from the bulwark between the preachers; and when the frigates had sailed past, 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."
2 Book of General Entries, i., 13, 14; Smith, i., 27. English writers desig- nate Cousseau as former " sheriff;" this is an error. He was one of the former Schepens or Aldermen.
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NEW NETHERLAND.
were near the fort, to demand an answer or solicit terms. CHAP. What then is to be done ? was asked. " Hoist the white VII. flag of peace at the fort, and then something may be 1664. considered."'
The greatest consternation prevailed throughout the city, when this answer became known. Many of the inhabitants, with their wives and children, implored the Director, with tears, to submit. But Stuyvesant was obdurate. " He had rather be carried a corpse to his grave."" The civic authorities, the clergy, and the com- manders of the Burgher Corps now assembled at the City Hall, to hear the report of the commissioners. All further resistance was considered not only useless but rash, and, on motion of the Reverend Joannes Megapolensis, it was resolved to present the following
REMONSTRANCE TO THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL AND COUNCIL.
" RIGHT HONORABLE ! We, your sorrowful commonalty Sep. 5. and subjects, beg to represent, with all humility, that, having, beforehand, for their own vindication before GOD and man, in these sad and difficult circumstances, maturely considered and deliberately weighed what was necessary to be done and concluded at this critical and urgent con- juncture, they cannot conscientiously foresee, for this fort and city of Manhattans, (as your Honors must be con- vinced,) aught else than misery, sorrow, conflagration, the dishonor of women, murder of children in their cradles, and, in a word, the absolute ruin and destruction of about fifteen hundred innocent souls, only two hundred and fifty of whom are capable of bearing arms.
" Your Honors are in the first place better aware than we, that four of the English King's frigates are now lying in the road at Nyack with six hundred soldiers, not only ordered hither by, his Majesty, but having also commissions to all the Governors of New England, (a
1 Alb. Rec. xviii., 320.
$ Doch de Requirant (Stuyvesant) het selve tot het laeste toe hadde gewey- gert, seggende dat hy veel liever daeruyt gedragen wilde werden. Hol. Doc. xii., 279.
528
HISTORY OF
BOOK populous and thickly inhabited country,) to impress troops, VI. in addition to the forces already on board, for the purpose 1664. of reducing New Netherland to his Majesty's obedience. In compliance with that commission, the English General hath sent divers letters to your Honors, summoning this city and Fort Manhattans, promising, in case we should voluntarily submit, that we shall not experience the least loss or damage, but on the contrary, should we prove obstinate and headstrong, we must expect all the afore- said miseries and misfortunes.
" These threats would not have been at all regarded, could your Honors, or we your petitioners, expect the smallest aid or succor. But (God help us !) whether we turn us for assistance to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, 'tis all in vain ! On all sides are we 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 circum- stance to the mercy of GOD, we cannot sufficiently express our astonishment that the foe should have granted us so long a reprieve, inasmuch as he could have deliv- ered us a prey and plunder to the soldiery after one sum- mons.
" We shall now examine your Honors' fortress. You know in your own consciences, that it is incapable of making head three days against so powerful an enemy. Granting even that it could hold out and contend against its assailants one, two, three, four, five or six months, (which to our sorrow it cannot,) it is still undeniable that it cannot save the smallest portion of our entire city, our property, and (what i% dearer to us) our wives and children from total min, for, after considerable bloodshed, even the fort 'nself could not be preserved. Wherefore, to prevent and arrest all the aforesaid misfortunes, we humbly, and in bitter- ness of heart, implore your Honors not to reject the con- ditions of so generous a foe, but to be pleased to meet him in the speediest, best, and most reputable manner. Otherwise (which GOD forbid !) are we obliged, before GOD and the world, to protest against, and call down on
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NEW NETHERLAND.
your Honors the vengeance of Heaven, for all the innocent CHAP. blood which shall be shed in consequence of your Honors'~
VII. obstinacy, inasmuch as the commissioners have to-day 1664. informed us, that the aforesaid English General hath stated and threatened that he shall not wait 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, therefore, 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, which may the Lord our GOD in his great mercy be pleased to grant us ! Amen."1
1 Hol. Doc. x., 139-148; xi., 164-274; xii., 57-64, 282-290. The following are the names attached to the above representation :-
P. L. Van der Grist, B. Cornelis Steenwyck, B. Jacob Bakker, S.
Tomas Hal,
Abram Klock,
Jochim Beekman, Isaacq Bedloo, Juriaen Blanck, Pieter Winster,
Jan Janss. Preste, Jan Gerrits van Buyten-
Isaac Grevenraat, S.
Timotheus Gabrie, S.
Johannes de Peyster,
Jonas Bartels, [huysen,
Nicolaus de Meyer, S Pieter Tonneman, Sh. Balthazar Stuyvesant, Hendrik Kip,
Oloff Stevensen van Cort- Meyndert Barents,
Lodewyck Pos, [landt, Luycas Dircks,
Abram Wilmerdoncx,
Govert Loockermans, Conraet Ten Eyck, Cornelis Clopper,
Cornelis Janssen,
Tousein Bryel,
Martin Krygier de Jonge, Anthony de Mill,
Jacob Leyseler,
Stephanus van Cortlandt, Hendrik van de Water,
Claes Janss. Bakker,
Guilliam D'Honeur,
Cornelius Pluviers, Gerrit Janssen, Jan Hendricksz, IIendrik Bosch, Hend. Janss. van der Vin, Hendrik Hendricksz., Jeronimus Ebbingh, Isaac de Foreest,
Isaacq Coustrier, Isaacq Kip,
Dionys Isaacqs, Jan Brouwer, Arent Isaacqs,
Fredrick Guysbertse,
Barent Kowrs,
Jan Dircks Meyer,
Jacob Teunissen,
Jacob Leunens,
Jacob van Couwenhoven,
Jacob Hugens, Lambert Huyberts Mol,
Evert Duyckingh,
Pieter Stoutenbergh, Hendrik van Dyck,
Jan Jansz. van St. Obyn, Egbert Meynderts,
Bocle Roeloffs, N. Varleth,
Nicolaus de la Plaine, Cornelis Gerloff, Warnaer Wissells, Hermen Wissells,
Daniel ver Veele, Johannes Nevius,
Johannes van Brugge Allard Anthony,
Hans Kierstede,
Jacob Kip,
Alexander Hulter, Tomas Lamberts, Frerick Arents,
Abram Verplanck,
Hendrik Obe,
Abel Hardenbroeck.
B. Burgomaster ; S. Schepen ; Sh. Sheriff.
VOL. II.
34
Ambrosius de Weerhem,
Cousseau,
Paul Richard,
Arent Janss. Moesnian, Symon Janss. Romeyn, Willem Raasenburgh, Tomas Davits, Reymout Reymouts, Balthazar de Haert,
Allard Konninck, Andries Rees,
Jan Vinge,
Jan Cornelis van Hoorn,
530
HISTORY OF
BOOK VI. The position of Stuyvesant was one, now, of extreme difficulty. In front a determined foe, backed by constantly 1664. increasing numbers from New England ; in his rear a dis- affected burghery, headed, as it were, by his own son. The condition of the city was such as forbade all hope of withstanding a siege. It was open along the banks of both rivers ; at the northern, or land side, its only defence was a hastily erected fence, composed of "old and rotten palisades, in front of which was thrown up a small breast- work, about three to three and a half feet high and scarcely two feet wide." The only point where a stand might be made, under less desperate circumstances, was the fort, but a council of war had pronounced this untenable.1 Originally erected, at the first discovery of the country, to serve as a retreat against the savages, it was never calcu- lated to withstand the assault of a European army. It was surrounded by a single wall of earth, from eight to ten feet high and three to four feet thick, mounted with twenty- four pieces of cannon, unprotected by any ditch or pali- sades, but commanded "on the Heerewegh," as Broad- way was then called, on the north and west, at less than pistol-shot distance, by hills so high that from their summit men "could see the soles of the feet of those walking in the squares within or on the corners of the battlements." It was, moreover, completely encircled by dwellings of private citizens, which overlooked the walls in many places, whilst cellars ran from these buildings to within a rod of the fort, which could thus, in a moment, without much trouble, be escaladed and captured, or undermined and blown up.
Were the works, however, of such a character as to justify a defence, it was impossible that the place could stand a three days' siege. There were not two thousand pounds of powder in store, and of this not more than a fourth was sound. "The gunner declared that if the firing was opened in the morning, the supply of ammunition would be exhausted by evening." The stock of provisions was equally low ; there were not much more than a thou-
1 Hol. Doc. xii., 272.
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NEW NETHERLAND.
sand schepels of wheat in store ; the supply of meat and peas CHIAP was much smaller, and, as for water, there was not a well VII. in the fort.1 To add to these difficulties, disaffection spread 1664. from the citizens to the soldiers, for the latter, finding that the burghers would no longer mount guard, cared little for the issue, and were heard speculating on the opportunities for plunder they should shortly have. "Now we hope to pepper those devilish traders who have so long salted us ; we know where booty is to be found, and where the young women live who wear gold chains." Under all these cir- cumstances, there was but one course to adopt, and that was to capitulate,2 Nicolls having already voluntarily prom- ised to deliver the fort and city back to the Dutch, in case the differences regarding the limits in America should be arranged between his Britannic Majesty and the States General.3 The Hon. John de Decker, Captain Varleth,
1 Hol. Doc. xi., 217, 219, 222; xii., 104, 127-131, 197, 241, 271, 272-277; New Amst. Rec.
2 " According to the precept (says Stuyvesant) of the all-wise Luke, xiv. 31." Hol. Doc. xii., 126.
3 Smith, i., 27, and all the English writers after him, represent that " the Dutch Governor agreed to a treaty and surrender, on condition the English and Dutch limits in America were settled ,by the Crown and the States General." Now this, on the face of it, is most arrant nonsense, for every one must per- ceive, at first sight, that after a surrender of the country, there would not be any question about " English and Dutch limits in America." The text corrects the blunder. The condition was that the premises should be restored to the Dutch, on the King and their High Mightinesses agreeing about the limits, as is further corroborated by the capitulation, and Gov. Stuyvesant's commission under the town seal, to treat on the articles of surrender: "The Governor-general and Council of New Netherland hereby make known, to prevent the effusion of blood, plundering, murders, and for the good of the inhabitants, we are moved by the summons made by the Honored Lord Richard Nicolls, General of his Majestie of England, being come with his men of warr and souldiers before the port, promising freely (by his owne proposition made) to re-deliver the ffort and city of Amsterdam in New Netherland, in case the difference of ye limits of this province be agreed upon betwixt his Majestie of England and the High and Mighty States General ; likewise upon other equal and answerable conditions to surrender and deliver, We have committed and do committ by this John de Decker Councillor of State, Capt. Nicholas Verlett commissary concerning matters of traficque, Samuel Megapolensis, Doctor of Physick, Cornelis Steen- wyck Burgomaster, Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt old Burgomaster, and James Cousseau old Schepen of this city, to agree with the aforesaid Lord General Richard Nicolls or his deputyes uppon further articles, by these open lettres promising that we will faithfully fulfill, whatsoever shall by our forenamed commissioners, concerning these businesses be promised and agreed uppon. In testimony of this, its confirmed by our seale, in the ffort of Amsterdam in
532
HISTORY OF
BOOK Dr. Samuel Megapolensis, (nominated by the Council ;) VI. Burgomasters Cornelis Steenwyck, Oloff Stevensen van 1664. Cortland, and Schepen Cousseau (nominated by the city) Sep. 5. were therefore appointed to meet similar commissioners on the part of the English, and Stuyvesant promised faitlı- fully to ratify whatever these persons should agree to. Sep. 6. The parties met at the Director-general's bouwerie, at eight o'clock on the following morning.1 Though the basis of a treaty was soon settled, considerable difference of opinion existed as to the disposal of the capitulating garrison. The Dutch commissioners insisted that the English should conduct them back to Holland free of ex- pense ; it would be unjust to the West India Company, and cruel to the soldiers, to oblige them to surrender and then refuse them means to return to their native country. Nicolls' deputies refused to accede to this proposal. Finally, Messrs. Steenwyck, Cousseau and Varleth, " fear- ful that the commissioners would separate without effecting anything," bound themselves to transport to Holland, at their private expense, such of the soldiers and Company's servants as had been engaged in Europe, and would not consent to remain under the English .? All difficulties having been thus removed, the respective parties concluded the following
ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION.
"I. We consent that the States General, or the West India Company, shall freely injoy all farms and houses (except such as are in the forts) and that within six months, they shall have free liberty to transport all such arms and am- munition, as now does belong to them, or else they shall be paid for them.
" II. All publique houses shall continue for the uses which they are for.
"III. All people shall still continue free denizens, and shall injoy their lands, houses, goods, wheresoever they
New Netherland, the 5th day of September, new stile, 1664." Alb. Rec. xviii., 322, 323 ; Book of General Entries, i., 30, 31.
1 Book of General Entries, 33. $ Alb. Rec. xviii., 325.
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NEW NETHERLAND.
are within this country, and dispose of them as they CHAP. please. VII.
"IV. If any inhabitant have a mind to remove himself, 1664. he shall have a year and six weeks from this day to re- move himself, wife, children, servants, goods, and to dis- pose of his lands here.
" V. If any officer of state, or publique minister of state, have a mind to go for England, they shall be transported fraught free, in his Majesty's frigotts, when these frigotts shall return thither.
"VI. It is consented to, that any people may freely come from the Netherlands, and plant in this colony, and that Dutch vessels may freely come hither, and any of the Dutch may freely return home, or send any sort of mer- chandise home, in vessels of their own country.
" VII. All ships from the Netherlands, or any other place, and goods therein, shall be received here, and sent hence, after the manner which formerly they were before our coming hither, for six months next ensuing.
" VIII. The Dutch here shall injoy the liberty of their consciences in divine worship and church discipline.
"IX. No Dutchman here, or Dutch ship here, shall upon any occasion, be pressed to serve in war against any nation whatsoever.
" X. That the townsmen of the Manhattans shall not have any soldiers quartered upon them, without being satisfied and paid for them by their officers, and that at this present, if the fort be not capable of lodging all the soldiers, then the Burgomasters, by their officers, shall appoint some houses capable to receive them.
"XI. The Dutch here shall injoy their own customs concerning their inheritances.
" XII. All publique writings and records, which concern the inheritances of any people, or the reglement of the church or poor, or orphans, shall be carefully kept by those in whose hands now they are, and such writings as par- ticularly concern the States General, may at any time be sent to them.
" XIII. No judgment that has passed any judicature here,
534
HISTORY OF
BOOK shall be called in question, but if any conceive that he hath VI. not had justice done him, if he apply himself to the States 1664. General, the other party shall be bound to answer for the. supposed injury.
" XIV. If any Dutch living here shall at any time desire to travaile or traffique into England, or any place, or plantation, in obedience to his Majesty of England, or with the Indians, he shall have (upon his request to the gov- ernor) a certificate that he is a free denizen of this place, and liberty to do so.
"XV. If it do appeare, that there is a publique engage- ment of debt, by the town of the Manhatoes, and a way agreed on for the satisfying of that engagement, it is agreed, that the same way proposed shall go on, and that the engagement shall be satisfied.
"XVI. All inferior civil officers and magistrates , shall continue as now they are, (if they please,) till the custom- ary time of new elections, and then new ones to be chosen by themselves, provided that such new chosen magistrates shall take the oath of allegiance to his Majesty of England before they enter upon their office.
"XVII. All differences of contracts and bargains made before this day, by any in this country, shall be deter- mined according to the manner of the Dutch.
"XVIII. If it do appeare, that the West India Company of Amsterdam do really owe any sums of money to any persons here, it is agreed that recognition and other duties payable by ships going for the Netherlands, be continued for six months longer.
"XIX. The officers military, and soldiers, shall march out with their arms, drums beating, and colours flying, and lighted matches ; and if any of them will plant, they shall have fifty acres of land set out for them; if any of them will serve as servants, they shall continue with all safety, and become free denizens afterwards.
"XX. If, at any time hereafter, the King of Great Britain and the States of the Netherland do agree that this place and country be re-delivered into the hands of the said States, whensoever his Majestie will send his
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NEW NETHERLAND.
commands to re-deliver it, it shall immediately be CHAP. done. VII.
"XXI. That the town of Manhattans shall choose depu- 1664. tyes, and those deputyes shall have free voyces in all pub- lique affairs, as much as any other deputyes.
" XXII. Those who have any property in any houses in the fort of Aurania, shall (if they please) slight the fortifi- cations there, and then injoy all their houses as all people do where there is no fort.
" XXIII. If there be any soldiers that will go into Hol- land, and if the Company of West India in Amsterdam, or any private persons here will transport them into Holland, then they shall have a safe passport from Colonel Richard Nicolls, deputy governor under his Royal Highness, and the other commissioners, to defend the ships that shall transport such soldiers, and all the goods in them, from any surprizal or acts of hostility, to be done by any of his Majestie's ships or subjects. That the copies of the King's grant to his Royal Highness, and the copy of his Royal High- ness's commission to Colonel Richard Nicolls, testified by two commissioners more, and Mr. Winthrop, to be true copies, shall be delivered to the Honourable Mr. Stuyve- sant, the present governor, on Monday next, by eight of the clock in the morning, at the Old Miln, and these articles consented to, and signed by Colonel Richard Nicolls, deputy governor to his Royal Highness, and that within two hours after the fort and town called New Amsterdam, upon the isle of Manhatoes, shall be delivered into the hands of the said Colonel Richard Nicolls, by the service of such as shall be by him thereunto deputed, by his hand and seal.
JOHN DE DECKER,
ROBERT CARR,
NICH. VARLETH,
GEO. CARTERET,
SAM. MEGAPOLENSIS.
JOHN WINTHROP,
CORNELIS STEENWYCK, SAM. WILLYS,
JACQUES COUSSEAU,
JOHN PINCHON,
OLOFFE S. VAN KORTLANDT, THOMAS CLARKE.
" I do consent to these articles.
RICHARD NICOLLS.""
1 Book of General Entries, 22-26; Alb. Rec. xviii., 324; Hol. Doc. x., 129;
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HISTORY OF
1664.
BOOK VI, These articles were ratified by the English commander immediately. The day following being Sunday, and the papers requiring examination, the ratification on the part of the Director-general and Council, did not take place Sep. S. until the succeeding Monday.1 The Dutch forces led by Stuyvesant then marched out of the fort with all the honors of war, and proceeding down Beaver street, embarked on board the Gideon for Holland, the English having previously taken possession of the citadel with a corporal's guard. Col. Nicolls' and Sir Robert Carr's companies, one hundred and sixty-eight strong, formed into six columns of about thirty men each, next entered the capital, whilst Sir George Cartwright occupied with his men the city gates and town hall. The volunteers from New England and Long Island remained at Breu- kelen ferry, " as the citizens dreaded most being plun- dered by them." Finally, the Burgomasters having pro- claimed Nicolls Governor, Fort Amsterdam became Fort James, and the name of the city was changed to that it now bears.2
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