| 2. | Peter Stuyvesant was born in abt. 1610 (son of Peter Stuyvesant); died in Aug 1672 in Manhattan, New York, New York, USA. Notes:
Upon the pages of the colonial history of the state of New York, no name appears more conspicuous as a wise and efficient magistrate, than that of Peter Stuyvesant. He was a man possessed of strong intellectual powers, refined by education, and an amenity of manners connected with firmness and decision of character which eminently fitted him to be an actor in the exciting scenes which characterized the colonies at the commencement of his administration. When he assumed the reins of government, the colony of the New Netherlands had enemies to contend with on all sides; the Swedes on the south, the English on the east, and the aborigines on the north and west.
It may be well to remind the reader, that New York was first discovered by Henry Hudson, in 1609, as detailed in the sketch of that bold navigator on page 166. A few years after, a few trading and fishing huts were erected on the lower extremity of the island. For twenty years from this period, we know but little of the progress of the settlement, and it may be legitimately considered the "dark age" of its history. In 1629, Governor Wouter Van Twiller arrived and took the command of New Amsterdam. His administration continued nine years, and has been humorously illustrated by Mr. Irving. After him succeeded William Kieft, who also administered nine years, viz., till 1647, and was then succeeded by Peter Stuyvesant, who was born in Holland in 1602.
Upon assuming the reins of government, Stuyvesant concluded treaties of peace and trade with the Indian tribes, and after much negotiation, made an amicable settlement of the boundary question with the New England or Connecticut colony. But the efforts of the respective colonies to engross each for themselves the Indian trade, kept up a constant jealousy, and an unfounded report gained credence among the eastern colonies, that the Dutch governor had incited the Indians to massacre the English. Of this charge Stuyvesant gave an indignant denial; but the New England colonies were not satisfied, and they determined to commence a war against the Dutch. They applied to Cromwell who was then lord-protector of England, for aid. Cromwell was then at war with Holland, and he at once complied with their request. An English squadron for the purpose arrived at Boston, in 1654; but peace soon after being concluded between the protector and the states-general, the orders were countermanded, and the squadron returned to England.
Although the states-general and the West India Company had openly denied the pretensions of Lord Baltimore, yet they gave Stuyvesant instructions to retire beyond Baltimore's claimed boundary, in case of hostilities. Stoyvesant was much chagrined at this exhibition of the weakness of his superiors, and he solicited that a formal copy of the grant made by the states-general to the company, might be transmitted to him, that by it, he might efficiently assert the interests he was bound to defend. But they were too afraid of English power, to grant this request; and Stuyvesant willing to propitiate the English by honorable means, sent a commission to Sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia, proposing a commercial treaty. This treaty was formed, but Berkley carefully avoided the recognition of the territorial pretensions of the Dutch, which Stuyvesant hoped to obtain.
When Charles II. was restored after the downfall of Cromwell, the colonists of New Netherlands hoped for a different policy to be exercised toward them by the crown; and Stuyvesant seized every opportunity to propitiate the English court. When the pursuers of Goffe and Whalley, the judges who condemned Charles I., requested Stuyvesant not to offer them protection, he readily acquiesced, and agreed to prohibit all vessels from transporting them beyond the reach of pursuers. But this policy had no effect, for Charles, from the moment of his restoration, determined to bring the Dutch colony in America, under subjection to the British crown. Added to this determination, Charles viewed the New England colonists, the puritans, with hatred, for they seemed to him a remnant of that faction, who had executed his unhappy predecessor, and driven himself into exile; and he determined to teach them, also, that they were not beyond his reach, even in the new world. Stuyvesant saw the storm that was gathering, and made an unsuccessful attempt to engage the New England colonies in an alliance with the Dutch, against a common enemy. While he was personally engaged in this business, an English fleet approached the coast of the New Netherlands, and the governor was obliged to return in haste to the defence of his province.
As an excuse for commencing hostilities, Charles had endeavored, but unsuccessfully, to provoke the states-general. His only excuse left was, that the English first discovered and landed upon various parts of the American shore, and laid claim by this priority, to exclusive jurisdiction over the whole. In pursuit of his purpose, he gave to his brother, the duke of York, a grant dated 1664, entitling him to the whole region from the Delaware to the Connecticut river, without any regard to the Dutch settlements, or the previous charter granted to the Connecticut colony. Upon this unjust ground, did the English monarch found his excuse for commencing hostilities against the New Netherlands.
As soon as Stuyvesant heard of the preparations for conquest making by England, he communicated the alarming intelligence to the states-general; but the only aid they sent him, was the original grant, which they had before denied him. But this was entirely inefficient in combating an expedition so unwarrantable in all its arrangements and purposes. The command of the fleet and the government of the province, were given to Colonel Nichols. The fleet touched at Boston, where an armed force had been ordered to join it, and immediately proceeded to New Amsterdam. Governor Winthrop of Connecticut and others, joined the king's standard, and the armament that appeared in New York (then New Amsterdam) bay, consisted of three ships, one hundred and thirty guns, and six hundred men. Governor Stuyvesant was anxious to offer resistance, notwithstanding the force was superior to his own; but the peaceful inhabitants regarding the terms of capitulation as exceedingly favorable, were disposed to surrender at once. For some time Stuyvesant kept up a negotiation, but to no purpose; and at last an honorable surrender was made. The capitulation was signed by the commissioners on the 27th of August, 1664, but the governor could not be brought to ratify it by his signature, until nearly two days afterward. Fort Orange surrendered to Colonel Cartright on the 24th of September, who confirmed the title of Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, to the manor of Rensselaerwicke. The name of Fort Orange was changed to Albany, and that of New Amsterdam to New York, in honor of the proprietor.
Governor Stuyvesant made a voyage to Holland, and on his return, retired to his estate in the Bowery, in the city of New York, where he spent the remainder of his life. At his death, in August 1682, he was interred in a chapel erected upon his own land. He left behind him an untarnished reputation, and his descendants now enjoy the same honorable name and vast possessions, bequeathed by this illustrious ancestor.
The engraving opposite, shows New York in the time of Stuyvesant. The picket fence which formed its northern limit, and which may be seen at the right hand, was located at the part of the city now known as Wall street.
source: Savage, Charles C. Illustrated Biography, or Memoirs of the Great and the Good of All Nations and All Time; Comprising Sketches of Eminent Statesmen, Philosophers, Heroes, Artists, Reformers, Philanthropists, Mechanics, Navigators, Authors, Poets, Divines, Soldiers, Savans, Etc. Buffalo, NY: Phinney & Co., 1856. 193-197.
Peter married Judith Bayard in 1645. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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