USA > New York > New York City > History of the New Netherlands, province of New York, and state of New York : to the adoption of the federal Constitution. Vol. I > Part 13
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The Governour, ever faithful to the West India Company and to the States General, represented the truth to them-he told them that the English on Long Island were disaffected to them ; that Connecticut had purchased as far as Hudson's River of the Indians-that the Dutch were not well affected to the present mode of government, and that his weakness was too apparent.^
In this year the Indians near Esopus, who had for some 1663 time evinced discontent with their Dutch neighbours, seem to have united in a plan for exterminating the whites. In the month of June, while they amused the people with a ne- gociation for better neighbourhood, they seized the opportunity, - while the men of the village were at their agricultural employ- ment abroad, to enter, as 'tis said, under pretence of trade, and in a very short time killed or carried off captive sixty-five per- sons. The Netherlanders, who from anterior hostilities had been induced to erect a fort, rallied and seized their arms : but the natives, as if intending further aggression, likewise erected a pal- isaded fortification, and were probably increasing in force, when Martin Crygier arriving from New Amsterdam with troops sent by Governour Stuyvesant, the red men fled to the mountains.
During part of this summer the Director-general repaired to Esopus, and by sending out parties, not only kept the superior numbers of the enemy in check, but made inroads among the hill fastnesses, destroyed the Indian villages and forts, laid waste and burnt their fields and magazines of maize, killed many of their warriors, released the Dutch captives to the number of twenty- two, and captured eleven of the enemy. These vigorous opera- tions were followed by a truce in December, and a treaty of peace the May following.
During this pressure upon the people of Esopus, such was the discontent of the inhabitants of Long Island, that they refused to embody the militia for defence of the colony on the Hudson, or even to send troops to New Amsterdam.
The powers with which the West India Company and the States General had invested their Director-general, had by this time caused great discontent among the people of the province, and particularly upon Long Island. He had a sovereign voice in the appointment of officers and framing laws. Churches and their ministers were at his disposal. Indian titles were extinguished
* See Appendix I.
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QUAKERS.
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only by his permission. Grants for lands, and taxes for the sup- port of government, depended on· liim. He was only responsible to superiors beyond sea.
The English settlers under the Dutch jurisdiction unwillingly submitted. They applied for a share in the government. They claimed the privilege as of right. They embodied their grievances in memorials to Governour Stuyvesant, and to the States General. The governour denounced the meetings on Long Island as illegal. He prohibited similar meetings. He obeyed his instructions, and might truly say that the settlements had been made knowingly as to the nature of the Dutch government. But the desire for self- government could not be satisfied by appeals to circumstances under which the settlements were formed. The English and New England notions prevailed. Discontent increased. The laws
were contemned, as not emanating from the people. The En- glish towns of Long Island sent deputies to a convention in No- vember, 1663, and appeared so formidable that the governour did not venture to disperse them.
Religious complaints were added to civil. The- Directors- general were required by their superiors to maintain "the Re- . formed religion, in conformity to the word and the decrees of the Synod of Dortrecht, and not to tolerate in publick any other sect." Here was no room for the admittance of any discovered truth ; and the governour had bound himself, as usual, to exclude any light not discovered by his employers. Laws to this import were promulgated, and fines decreed for preaching or attending on any doctrines but those of the Synod. Lutherans were im- prisoned, and a clergyman of that church banished. The Dutch West India Company thought they had gone too far, and gra- · ciously permitted them to pray after their own manner, in their oun houses. But the Quakers, (who were very far, at that time, from being the quiet, good citizens they now are,) who thought they had got all the liglit in their own hands, and were determined to introduce it every where, in despite of synods, priests, or gover- nours, caused Stuyvesant no little trouble, as they had done the keepers of men's consciences elsewhere, and elicited acts from the Dutch Director, as well as from the rulers of New and Old England, which can hardly be believed in the year 1839. Rich- ard Smith was imprisoned (1656) in Massachusetts, but let out of prison "to return to his family at Southampton," in the hope that the magistrates will be careful to keep out Sathan and his instru- ments. In 1657 the Commisssoners of New England ordered that all quakers, ranters and such hereticks, be removed from the dis- tricts they infest. In 165S the same commissioners recommend a law by which the accursed and pernicious sect of Quakers be ban- ished upon pain of death if they return. In 1660, Plymouth enacted
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QUAKERS.
laws against bringing Quakers into the colony, and those who shall entertain them. Massachusetts had done the same, under penalty of fine and imprisonment to the introducer or entertainer, and the punishment for the first "offence, inflicted upon every male Quaker, of having one of his ears cut off, and being kept att work in the house of correction till he can be sent away at his own charge ;" and for the second offence the other ear is to be cut off, and the correction again applied. "Every woman Qua- ker" is doomed to be whipt, and the same mode of mending used. And for the third offence, both males and females are to have " their tongues bored through with a hot Iron," and to be confined " close at worke". till sent away at their own charge. At Plymouth, Humphrey Norton and Jobn Rouse, Quakers, were whipt and imprisoned because they refused to pay for it. In Massachusetts, persons siding with the Quakers, and absent- ing themselves from " the publick ordinances," having been fined, asserting that they have no estates, and resolving not to work, the Court impowers the treasurers of counties, "to sell the said persons to any of the English nation at Virginia and Barbadoes." And in October, 1659, the question being put in Court, "whether Wm. Robinson, Marmaduke Stevenson, and Mary Dyer, the persons now in prison, who have been convicted for Quakers, and banished this jurisdiction on pain of Death, should be put to Death according as the law provides in that case ? The Court resolved this question in the affirmative." Accordingly the gov- ernour pronounced sentence upon the prisoners, they being before him in " open Court," and an order and warrants were issued for their execution. On the petition of Wm. Dyer, the son of Mary, he or some other person is permitted within forty-eight hours to convey her out of the jurisdiction ; but in the mean time, " she shall be carried to the place of execution, and there to stand upon the gallows with a rope about her neck till the rest be executed ; and then to return to the prison and remain as aforesaid."*
During this period, when the New England Colonies banished, whipt, cut off the ears, bored the tongues, sold for slaves, and put to death, the Quakers, they had multiplied on Long Island, the governour's efforts and his oath of office notwithstanding. Far be it from me to justify oppression by showing greater oppression elsewhere. But the opinions and maxims of days of compara- tive darkness must plead for the individual who is influenced by them, however much we at the present day pity or detest such opinions.
Stuyvesant issued a mandate forbidding all persons from at-
* See Hazard or the Records.
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DUTCH RIGHTS.
tending or holding conventicles in any building or in any field or wood, under penalty of fifty guilders fine, to be doubled and quadrupled, and after a third offence subjecting the offender to arbitrary punishment. Many persons suffered fines, imprison- ment and banishment. At Flushing the magistrates justified the Quakers. In Jamaica, where many of the sect dwelt, their meet- ings were dispersed by the sheriff. John Bowne was expatriated, and sent to Holland, from whence he returned after having suf- fered much ; and the governour's superiors thought fit to repri- mand him. All these discontents prepared the way for the events of 1664.
On the 7th July, 1659, the Commissioners of the
1659 United New England Colonies sent a letter to Governor
to Stuyvesant, from Hartford, saying they presume he has 1663 heard from the Dutch of "Fort of Orania," that some New England people had been lately seeking "some meet place for plantation within the bounds" of Massachusetts Colo- ny, " which is from the latitude of 42 degrees and 30 min- utes ; and so northerly extends itself from E. to W. in longitude through the maine land of America from the Atlantic ocion to the S. or W. Sea." Massachusetts had granted liberty to "erect a plantation in those parts," and intended " to effect the same." The Commissioners therefore desire liberty for these planters (as they would not entrench on Dutch rights) to pass up Hudson river, by the Dutch forts and towns, paying moderate duties. This the commissioners think a reasonable request, and that a denial would interrupt neighbourly and amicable correspondence. They say they conceive that the agreement made at Hartford, "that the English should not come within 10 miles of Hudson's River, does prejudice the right of Massachusetts in the upland country, nor give any right to the Dutch there ;" that treaty only, they say, intending the settlement between New Netherland and Con- necticut, and not concerning Massachusetts in any way.
I find no immediate answer to these pretensions. But Ban- croft says in his history, that Connecticut, in 1662, "regardless of the provisional treaty, claimed West Chester, and was ad- vancing towards the Hudson; and that Stuyvesant repaired to Boston and entered his complaints." And I find* that on July 9th he complained before the commissioners, that the English Colonies did not observe the treaty made at Hartford in 1650, and requested to know if the commissioners accounted the said treaty as remaining in force. John Winthrop and John En- dicott, Commissioners for Connecticut, craved the United Com-
* Hazard, vol. 2, p. 479.
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STUYVESANT ENDEAVOURS TO PRESERVE PEACE.
missioners not to decide immediately ; but the Commissioners, " saving the right of Connecticut by their charter," do account the agreement of 1760 to be binding. Still Connecticut main- tained its claim ; and so did Massachusetts. "Where then is New Netherland?" say the Dutch. "We do not know," reply the English .*
In 1657, Oysterbay and Huntington were, by permission of the commissioners, received into the jurisdiction of New Haven. In 1660, liberty was granted by the Commissioners of the United Colonies for the jurisdiction of Connecticut to take Huntington and Sautauket into her government.
.
The Commissioners of the United New England Colonies having advised that the claims of the Dutch and of Connecticut should be deferred until 1664, and then brought before the Court or Congress for judgment, Governour Stuyvesant replied on the 21st of September, 1663, that he wished a friendly and neighbourly settlement of differences concerning " East Dorfe, by the English called West Chester," and all other disputes, "that the parties may live in peace in the Wilderness where so many barbarous Indians dwell." He requests of the commissioners a categorical answer, whether the treaty of Hartford, made in 1650, remains " firm and binding," and whether the patent of Hartford, newly obtained, shall extend westward. He says the answer al- ready given is not so decisive as he expected. He is willing to abide by the treaty of Hartford, if the rights of the United Neth- erlands and the Dutch West India Company are held sacred. He declines the proposition of deferring the decision until 1664, but is willing for the prevention of strife to submit the question to impartial arbitration. This letter is dated at- Boston.
On the 23d he writes again, hoping that "in consideration of the happy good understanding between Holland and England, the matter of limits," which he hadcome to Boston for the purpose of finally adjusting, " might be settled." But he found the de- mands of the commissioners no way answerable to the rights of his superiors. He therefore again urged the referring the matter to the two European governments. He desired to know whether there might not be such correspondence in America with the goods and growth "of this poor Country," as is admitted in Europe; and union against danger from Indians. In reply the commissioners say that their demand in respect of limits is less than their patent authorizes ; that they cannot act in respect to trade, but according to act of Parliament, and that as to confede- racy respecting the Indians, it shall be presented to the General
* See Albany Records, 16th vol. p. 292, and Bancroft.
VOL. I. ,
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ENGLISH CONQUEST.
Court. The Commissioners of Connecticut make a similar an- swer to Stuyvesant's proposals. The Colony of New Haven was not at this time merged in that of Connecticut, and was averse to such a measure.
But while Stuyvesant was endeavouring to promote the interest of Holland in New Netherland, and relied upon the pacification and professions of friendship between England and Holland, the profligate and faithless Charles the Second, with that liberality which distinguishes monarchs, magnanimously gave to his bro- ther James that which his Majesty did not possess, had no right- ful claims to, and could not use for the immediate gratification of his sensuality, the whole of the New Netherlands, and that part of Connecticut lying westward of Connecticut River.
James, finding that all Long Island had been previously 1664 given to to the Earl of Stirling, bought that claim for £300. As to the Dutch rights of discovery or posses- sion, they were disregarded ; and while Holland confided in the treaties with England, her fleets were committing piracies upon the Dutch possessions in Africa, and wresting from them the whole New Netherland.
The Royal Duke sent Colonel Richard Nicolls, with a squadron which carried commissioners to New England, and had orders with the assistance of Massachusetts to take possession of the Dutch province. Massachusetts, ever opposed to the government of the Stuarts, pretended inability to assist in the reduction of the Dutch settlements : this opposition to the commissioners was continued after the seizure of New Netherland, and its charter was pleaded against the royal authority.
Lord Clarendon says that the royal commissioners sent out to the colonies in 1664, found those of the north already " hardened into republics." The truth is, that the people were republicans from the first. The first government founded in New England was democratic. England interfered as much as she could, but the people persevered in republicanism, always struggling against the power which had driven them from their homes, and still pur- sued them. The Dutch of New Netherland were governed by officers appointed by the trading company that sent them out, and by the States General, but they had certain privileges secured to them ; they knew their rights as men ; and when they submitted to England, they jealously watched the encroachments both of church and state, which were attempted on the liberties secured by the capitulation.
.
Chancellor Kent has observed that the conquest of New Neth- erland proved to the inhabitants very fortunate. They were relieved from controversy with their encroaching English neighbors ; had the privileges of English subjects, (or were entitled to them,) and
3
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ENGLISH CONQUEST.
in a few years participated in the blessings of a representative gor- ernment. " They exchanged," he says, " their Roman jurispru- dence for the freer spirit of the English common law."
The instructions of Charles II to Nicolls, Carteret, Carr, Cart- wright, and Chaverick, were, that the Dutch be reduced to an entire obedience. " It is high time," his majesty says, " to put them out of capacity of doing such mischief," as they had done elsewhere. 'Their right is altogether disclaimed .*
Although Massachusetts had evaded the order to assist the Com- missioners in subduing New Netherland, John Winthrop, the amiable and accomplished governor of Connecticut, joined the ex- pedition personally, and aided it by a body of troops, who were subsequently landed and encamped near Brooklyn.
Governour Stuyvesant had procured intelligence of the approach of an English squadron, with hostile intentions, and consisting of two vessels, of fifty guns each, and one of forty, with six hundred soldiers, besides a full complement of men as sailors .. He had assembled liis Council and Burgomasters, repaired and furnished his fortress, and taken such measures for defence as his spirit and experience dictated. The fleet anchored in Gravesend Bay. Stuy- vesant sent a deputation, consisting of John De Clyer, one of his Council, the Rev. John Megapolensis, Major Vandergreft, and some others, requesting to know the intention of their approach without giving notice to the magistrates.
Nicolls issued a proclamation, dated on board his majesty's ship, the " Guyny," stating that the Commissioners were sent to receive into his majesty's obedience, all foreigners who have, without his majesty's consent, seated themselves among his majesty's subjects ; promising to all who will submit to his majesty's government, pro- tection by his majesty's laws, with security to property, "and all other privileges with his majesty's subjects." And to the Governour and Council " of the Manhattans," he addressed a letter by his deputies, to let them know that "his majesty of Great Britain," had commanded him to require the surrender of all places, in pos- session of the Dutch, into his hands : he therefore demands the town and forts, promising to all wlio shall readily submit, estate, life, and liberty ; otherwise, the miseries of war. An answer is requested by return of "Colonel George Carteret, one of his ma- jesty's Commissioners in America," and Messrs. Robert Needhan, Edward Groves, and Thomas Delavall.
Governour Stuyvesant promised an answer on the morrow, and immediately convened his Council. He proposed a defence, and, fearing the terms offered by the surrender would be acceptable to
* See Hazard, 2 Vol. p. 640.
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SURRENDER TO THE ENGLISHI.
the people, whose discontent with the government of the States he was well aware of, refused to submit to them the summons of Nicolls.
Governour Winthrop, who probably had joined in this expedition, with the hope of preventing bloodshed by his interposition, wrote to the Dutch Director, recommending acceptance of the terms offered, and a surrender by capitulation. These terms Stuyvesant refused to communicate to the burghers, and issued his orders for the defence of the place entrusted to him.
On the 22d of August, the Council again met, and demanded to know the terms offered by Nicolls. The governour again refused, and tore the summons to pieces before them. To the Commis- sioners he wrote a letter, stating the Dutch claims to the province, and concluding with his determination to defend the fort and city .*
It was in vain that Petrus Stuyvesant endeavoured to infuse his own spirit into the people of the colony, who had already made up their minds that if their property could be secured to them, 1664 a change of government was for their interest. In vain he represented that the Fatherland required resistance to En- glish injustice ! In vain he asked, how a surrender, without a struggle, would be viewed in the land of their fathers ? The subjects of England were already mingled among those of the States, and all wished for the promised rights of Englishmen. The proclama- tion of Nicolls had its effect. Hide, who commanded the squadron umder Nicolls, was ordered to attack the fort. Stuyvesant sent deputies with a second letter, proposing delay and accommodation. But Nicolls knew full well the disposition of the people, and an- swered that he would only treat of surrender.
The next day, the 26th of August, the Governour of New Neth- erland agreed to a surrender, with an overpowering force arrayed in hostility before him, and no disposition evinced by those within call or view, to support him.
Nicolls had said, " on Thursday I will see you at Manhattoes, with my ships." The armament entered the harbour, and the sturdy old governour yielded to necessity and surrendered. After the ca- pitulation had been agreed to by the magistrates, he reluctantly signed it. On the 3d of September, New Amsterdam became New York, and the fort was called "James." On the 24th, Fort Orange surrendered, and took the name of Albany ; and early in October, the settlements on the Delaware capitulated.t
Although Stuyvesant did not show to his burgomasters the terms offered by Nicolls, or the letter of advice from Governour Winthrop of Connecticut, there can be no doubt that the reasons
* See Appendix J.
t See Appendix K.
1
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SURRENDER TO THE ENGLISH.
for surrender, which the latter gave, had great weight with the Director General of New Netherland.
When the terms of surrender were signed by the English depu- ties, who met the deputies of the Dutch at Governour Stuyvesant's house, in the Bowery, although favourable, and agreed to by those he had nominated, (John De Decker, Cornelius Shenwyck, James Coupease, Nicholas Verleet, Samuel Megapolensis, and Oloffe S. Van Kortlandt,) he yet withheld his signature for two days. At length the compact was concluded, and to the above mentioned names, and those of Robert Carr, George Carteret, John Win- throp, Samuel Wyllis, Thomas Clarke, and John Pinchon, was added that of Petrus Stuyvesant.
By these articles, it was agreed that the States General and West India Company should enjoy all their fast property except that in forts, and all arms and ammunition belonging to them at the time of surrender to be transported or paid for. That the public buildings should continue for the uses intended. That the people should en- joy all property as before, with the privilege of removing if they chose so to do, and any, public officer if he wished to go to England should be conveyed in his majesty's frigates. That people might freely come from the Netherlands and plant in this colony. That ships and goods should be received and depart for six months, as theretofore. That the Dutch should enjoy liberty of conscience and church discipline. That no Dutchman or ship should be pressed into military service. That no soldiers should be quartered on the towns- men without being paid for. That the Dutch should enjoy their own laws of inheritance, and public records should be kept as usual, nei- ther should any decision of Court heretofore made be called in ques- tion. That the Dutch should have liberty of traffic with the Eng- lish and Indians. That any public debt of the town should be paid as theretofore. That Magistrates should continue until the time of election, and then be chosen by the people as before, said officers taking the oath to his majesty of England. That contracts thereto- fore made should be determined by Dutch usage. That the military should march out with their arms, drums beating, colors flying, and lighted matches ; and that if any of them chose to become planters they should have 50 acres of land and become free denizens. That the fort Aurania, (Albany) should be levelled, but if any persons should have property therein they should enjoy it. That soldiers or others wishing to go to Europe should have free passport from Col. R. Nicolls. That the copy of the king's grant to his royal highness, and his royal highness's commission to Richard Nicolls, testified by Mr. Winthrop, should be delivered to the Hon. Mr. Stuyvesant, the present governour ; these articles were signed by Col. Nicolls, and fort and town were accordingly delivered to him.
The inhabitants of New Netherland very generally became sub-
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CONNECTICUT CIRCUMSCRIBED.
jects of Great Britain. Governour Stuyvesant remained on his estate ; and after a voyage to Holland, passed the remainder of his life on his estate in the Bowery. At his death his remains were in- terred within a chapel which he had erected upon his own land. Chief Justice Smith,* writing about 1757, says, that the Stuyvesant estate was at that time possessed by the governour's great grandson " Gerardus Stuyvesant, a man of probity, who had been elected into the Magistracy above thirty years successively."+ -
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