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These terms Stuyvesant did not communicate to his council, nor to his burgomasters, nor to the people. The members of the conference demanded that they should be informed as to the whole communication from the enemy. Stuyvesant was indignant and insisted that the question was not a consideration of terms, but what was the best manner of resisting the enemy. But his advisers were firm and more peremptory in their demands for fuller information. Stuyvesant stormed and raged, stumped around on his wooden leg and vehemently demanded that the fort should instantly be put in condition for defense, and the surrender refused. But the people and their representatives in the council were not inclined to submit their city, their property or their families to the bombardment which would inevitably have followed if they did not comply with the demands of the English. The odds were too great against them and they were entirely unprepared to resist any attack from so powerful a foe. So Stuyvesant was obliged to yield and to surrender, which he did with a protest against the cowardice of his people. The invaders landed quietly and raised the English flag over the forts. This was on the 3d day of September, 1634, and although the British did not then obtain full possession of the country, yet, on that day the Dutch rule over New Netherlands virtually ceased and the authority was transferred to the duke without bloodshed. On the 24th of the same September Fort Orange was seized in the same peaceable manner.

In the mean time, Sir Robert Carre, who was in command of the fleet, while Colonel Nicolls was at the head of the land forces, proceeded with two vessels to attack the settlements in the southern part of the province of New Jersey. He acted under special directions in conducting the enterprise and adopted an exceedingly wise course, Before investing any of the forts, or even demanding their surrender, he waited on all the planters he could reach, explained to them the condition of affairs, and promised them they would not be molested if they submitted quietly. They saw, at once, the absurdity of making any resistance, accepted the situation and transferred their allegiance to the English duke. This submission disarmed the garrisons in the forts and the subjugation of that part of New Netherlands was obtained at the cost of two barrels of powder and twenty shot.

Thus ended the Dutch rule in North America, after half a century's existence. It had been mild and patriarchal towards its own people, but not always just nor merciful to the savages, who had been more

than once surprised in their villages while asleep at night and slaughtered without mercy, not even the women and babes having been spared. Atrocities of the most revolting character had been perpetrated in their treatment of the aborigines, and it is not wonderful that the Indians turned and wreaked vengeance on their oppressors. Nor can it be said that the rule of their "High Mightinesses, the States General," had resulted in any great degree of civilization, nor in developing the resources of the country to the extent which the opportunities afforded them demanded. Their colonists were intent on trade; that was the main object of their emigration to the new country; they were unsystematic; their rulers lacked energy, perseverance, farsightedness; they could not understand that before them was a great future with possibilities in it which never before had existed in the dawn of a nation's history. Still, the Dutch did much in the way of civilization; they builded their comfortable dwellings; they dug and delved; they surrounded themselves and their families with appliances for comfort and happiness; but they were a commercial people, attached to their homes planted on their own soil. They possessed some characteristics which fitted them for the best Christian civilization; but they lacked. those energizing forces which impelled them to noble deeds; to mighty enterprises; to found great cities; to seek new appliances for the benefit of humanity-which call forth from human nature the broadest and noblest efforts for the amelioration of the race. Mingled with other blood, they were the solid substantial foundation of an edifice builded for all time, fitted to withstand and to hold fast, but always to remain stationary and immovable. So, there came into action on this western continent a new force, vitalizing, quickening, energizing all other forces with which it came in contact, equipped with all the necessary appliances for forming and moulding a new empire in this western world, upon the broadest foundations, which would, in the end, challenge the admiration of all true lovers of liberty, and perplex and astound tyrants and oppressors.

When the English became rulers in New Netherlands, a new order of affairs was introduced. New Amsterdam became Fort James; Fort Orange was named Albany; and the province, New York. New Jersey, up to this time, had had no distinctive title, having been included in the country called New Netherlands; it was not known as New Jersey until some time afterwards, when James separated it from New York by grant to Berkeley and Carteret.

Such inducements were made to the colonists, both in New York and New Jersey, to remain, that a very large number of them became subjects of the new government, and they and their descendants never afterwards swerved from their fealty to the English crown until the colonies declared themselves independent. In all this there was no violent wrench; in fact, there was very little change; there was really no perceptible difference in the laws governing the relations of citizens to each other or to the state. English officers, in a very few instances, were introduced, and the English language was oftener heard in the streets and in the court rooms. The former colonists retained their property; business went on as usual; the administration of justice was conducted in the same manner and, substantially, on the same principles. It was not long before the names of prominent Hollanders were found in the records of the new government, as holders of important official positions. The Dutch language was still spoken in the family, in market and in places of business; divine service was conducted in that language as of yore.

The terms of capitulation were agreed upon by a joint commission consisting of six representatives from each nation, and were the most liberal ever granted by a victorious enemy to a conquered nation. Of course, the English were not entirely unselfish in their action in granting such liberal terms. They were desirous of retaining the present inhabitants, of securing their allegiance as loyal subjects. The terms were so liberal that it will be interesting to notice a few of them: The Dutch West India Company was allowed to retain all its property, real and personal, except such as was in the forts, and was allowed six months' time for the removal of its goods, arms and ammunition; if these were not removed within the time agreed upon, then a fair price was to be paid for them. All the colonists were to remain free denizens and to retain their lands, houses, goods and ships wheresoever they might be, and they were to be at full liberty to sell or otherwise dispose of their estate in such manner as they might choose. If any colonist desired to leave, he was allowed a year and six weeks from the date of the agree ment for removing his family and property, and for selling his lands. Hollanders might freely come from the mother country and settle anywhere in the colony, and those already settled there might remain or return to Holland, as they chose. Dutch vessels might come into the ports of the country and go without hinderance. Full liberty of conscience in the worship of God, according to Dutch doctrine and disci

pline, was granted. No Hollander, nor Holland ship would be compelled to serve in war, against Holland. The people were to enjoy unmolested their own manners and customs concerning property. All public records and writings were to remain undisturbed, and any writing which concerned the States General might be sent to Europe to be returned to the owners. No legal process would be interfered with, nor questioned. All inferior civil officers were to continue in office if they chose, until new elections, but new officers should take the oath of allegiance to England. Military officials and soldiers could depart with their arms and flags, but if any of them chose to remain as permanent settlers, fifty acres of land would be assigned to them.

These were the terms granted to the inhabitants of New Amsterdam and of the Dutch settlements adjacent. Even Peter Stuyvesant, himself, could not resist them, and continued to reside there until his death.

Sir Robert Carre offered somewhat similar terms to the Swedes and Dutch whom he found in New Jersey. The fact that he treated separately with the Swedes, shows that they were recognized as an independent nationality. The names of some of the burgomasters attached to the agreement between Carre and the officers of the towns in New Jersey who entered into it, fully show that several Swedes were among the chief citizens of that part of the country, and that consequently. there must have been a comparatively large number of Swedish colonists still remaining there.

This action of the English in thus summarily dispossessing the Dutch, at a time when the two nations were at peace, gave rise to great controversy. Some historians and writers denounced the act of Charles as a gross outrage; others as strenuously defended it. At this lapse of time, it can be coolly and dispassionately judged; then, the judgment was perverted, as the historian or writer happened to be connected with either of the nations whose rights were involved.

Charles, no doubt, hoped that the attack on New Amsterdam would provoke the Dutch to declare war, and he was not disappointed. The States General immediately opened hostilities and a war ensued in which the principal powers of Europe were soon involved. In 1667, however, hostilities ceased, the peace of Breda was signed, by the terms of which New Netherlands remained in the possession of the English, and there it continued until July, 1673. In March, 1672-3, Charles II, in connection with France, declared war against Holland, and the States

General, apparently remembering the seizure of New Amsterdam by the English king in 1664, dispatched a fleet of five vessels against New York, in July, 1673, and on the 30th of that month the town was easily captured, and according to the preponderance of the authorities, without bloodshed. The Dutch emulated the action of the English, when, in 1663, New Amsterdam was seized by them, and by proclamation, guarantied to the settlers full possession of all their property and the privileges of free citizenship, upon condition that they should swear allegiance to the Dutch authorities. The majority of the magistrates and constables in the adjacent settlements proceeded to "New Orange, the name given to New Amsterdam by the Dutch, and took the oath. This seems only to have been the case in the settlements in New York, for, on the 15th of August, the inhabitants of Newark, Elizabeth Town and Piscataway presented a petition to the Dutch authorities praying that their rights and privileges might be secured to them. A military tribunal was then sitting at New Orange, consisting of officers of the forces sent over by Holland, which received this petition and instantly acted upon it. The petitioners were confirmed in the possession of all lawfully acquired lands, were placed on an equal footing with the subjects of Holland, as far as their rights as citizens were concerned, and it was stipulated that if they conducted themselves properly, they would not be required to take up arms against England. The sale and conveyance of their land were to be regulated by Dutch laws, but they were permitted to sell it or dispose of it by will, and they might remove their personal property with themselves, if they chose to leave the country. Full liberty of conscience in all religious matters was accorded to them, The Dutch authorities were not satisfied, however, with the precautions for securing the loyalty of the inhabitants of New Jersey; for, in September, a sort of roving commission was appointed to visit the settlements in "Achter Kol," as New Jersey was called by the conquerors of the country in their official papers, and require an oath from each inhabitant. Four settlements, Newark, Elizabeth Town, Woodbridge and Middletown certainly, were visited, and a list made of all the inhabitants who took the oath and of those who were absent, most of whom afterwards complied with the requirements of the Dutch. The lists give some idea of the number of people resident in these four towns: There were 73 in Newark and 11 absent; 50 in Elizabeth Town and 21 absent; 44 in Woodbridge and 5 absent; 81 in Middletown, and apparently none absent. Some large holders of detached plantations

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