Dec. 27.

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. High Mightinesses and the Company, "under whose protection 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-treatment 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 Werckhoven, within the limits of their patent; this included various plantations belonging to Englishmen, who cultivated 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 regard 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 sensible of our dutiful obedience to our superiors, so, on the

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 folDec. 30. lowed with a letter to the Burgomasters of the city of Amsterdam, couched in terms equally respectful.'

These, unfortunately, were not the only troubles of this year. The public treasury was in an utter state of dilapidation; 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 government. By means of a loan-the first public debt ever contracted in this province-the city had been partially enclosed, 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 sigJuly 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, thereupon, 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.

III.

The obstinacy of the burghers; the insecure state of CHAP. the fort; the low state of the public funds, and the war 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."

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Notwithstanding the announcement of the magistrates, Stuyvesant, it seems, did not give up the whole produce of the revenue. Considerable excitement was the consequence, and the Burgomasters and Schepens determined 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 Burgomasters 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 additioual 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 Pietersen van Brugge, Daniel Litschoe, Jacob van Couwenhoven, and Oloff Steven

sen.

BOOK time imposed on each hogshead of French wine, and four V. 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 Amsterdam, 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 requested these offices to be separated. They also demanded 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 jurisdiction; to have a city seal separate from that of the province, and a goodly quantity of munitions of war, without which the country would decrease" and at length fall to the ground."

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.

1 New Amsterdam Rec. Anno 1653; Alb. Rec. viii., 96, 97; ix., 6, 7, 9.

CHAPTER IV.

The Burgomasters and Schepens demand again the privilege of nominating their successors-Refused-Piracies on the Sound-Measures to prevent these-Libellous pamphlet published in London against New NetherlandThe Protector sends a fleet against the province-Hostile preparations in New England-Connecticut seizes Fort Good Hope-Stuyvesant receives information 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 Stuyvesant and the city authorities-Reassumes the excise, and pays the salaries of the city officers-The views of the Burgomasters declared to be visionaryExpulsion of the Dutch by the Swedes from the South River-Stuyvesant retaliates-Proceedings in Europe regarding the boundary question-Plan of the Directors-Is forwarded to London-The Dutch Ambassadors' remarksFurther representations on the part of the Directors-Cromwell refuses to decide without hearing New England.

IV.

Jan. 26.

THE period for which the first set of Burgomasters and CHAP. Schepens had been appointed being now about to expire, the acting magistrates applied to the Director and Council 1654. for leave to make a double nomination from which their 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 contented 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 Burgomasters were each allowed three hundred and fifty guilders, the Schepens two hundred and fifty a year.'

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.

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