ron; wherein he asserted the right and title of their High
Mightinesses, the Lord States General to the province of New-
Netherlands, and, trusting in the righteousness of his cause,
set the whole British nation at defiance! My anxiety to ex-
tricate my readers and myself from these disastrous scenes,
prevents me from giving the whole of this gallant letter, which
concluded in these manly and affectionate terms:

"As touching the threats in your conclusion, we have noth-
ing to answer, only that we fear nothing but what God (who is
as just as merciful) shall lay upon us; all things being in His
gracious disposal, and we may as well be preserved by him
with small forces, as by a great army; which makes us to wish
you all happiness and prosperity, and recommend you to his
protection. -- My lords, your thrice humble and affectionate
servant and friend, P. STUYVESANT."

Thus having resolutely thrown his gauntlet, the brave Peter
stuck a pair of horse-pistols in his belt, girded an immense
powder-horn on his side -- thrust a sound leg into a Hessian
boot, and clapping his fierce little war hat on the top of his
head -- paraded up and down in front of his house, determined
to defend his beloved city to the last.

While all these woful struggles and dissensions were prevail-
ing in the unhappy city of New-Amsterdam, and while its
worthy, but ill-starred governor was framing the above-quoted
letter, the English commanders did not remain idle. They
had agents secretly employed to foment the fears and clamours
of the populace; and moreover circulated far and wide,
through the adjacent country, a proclamation, repeating the
terms they had already held out in their summons to sur-
render, and beguiling the simple Nederlanders with the most
crafty and conciliating professions. They promised that every
man who voluntarily submitted to the authority of his British
Majesty, should retain peaceable possession of his house, his
vrouw, and his cabbage-garden. That he should be suffered to
smoke his pipe, speak Dutch, wear as many breeches as he
pleased, and import bricks, tiles, and stone jugs from Holland,
instead of manufacturing them on the spot. That he should
on no account be compelled to learn the English language, or
keep accounts in any other way than by casting them upon his
fingers, and chalking them down upon the crown of his hat;
as is still observed among the Dutch yeomanry at the present
day. That every man should be allowed quietly to inherit his

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