ed the surrender of New
Amstel and all the lands on the west side of Delaware bay. "All the
country," it was said by his envoy,

"up to the fortieth degree, was granted to Lord Baltimore.
The grant has been confirmed by the king and sanctioned by
parliament. You are weak, we are strong, you had better
yield at once."

A very earnest and prolonged discussion ensued. The Dutch Company
said,

"We hold our rights by the States-General. We are resolved
to defend those rights. If Lord Baltimore will persevere and
resort to violent measures, we shall use all the means which
God and nature have given us to protect the inhabitants and
preserve their possessions."

This was indeed an alarming state of affairs for New Amstel. Various
disasters had befallen the colony, so that it now numbered but thirty
families. The garrison had been reduced, by desertion, to twenty-five
men; and of these but eight or ten were in the principal fort. The
English were in such strength upon the Chesapeake, that they could
easily send five hundred men to the Delaware. Very earnest diplomatic
intercourse was opened between the States-General and the British
Parliament upon these questions.

Governor Stuyvesant, whose attention had been somewhat engrossed by
the Indian difficulties, now renewed his persecution of the Quakers.
Notwithstanding the law against private conventicles, Henry Townsend
at Rustdorp, who had been already twice fined, persisted in holding
private meetings in his house. He was arrested with two others, and
carried to fort Amsterdam. Townsend and Tilton were banished from the
colony. Two magistrates were appointed as spies to inform of any
future meetings, and some soldiers were stationed in the village to
suppress them. Whatever Governor Stuyvesant undertook to do he
accomplished very thoroughly. The following paper was drawn up which
the inhabitants were required to sign:

"If any meetings or conventicles of Quakers shall be held in
this town of Rustdorp, that we know of, we will give
information to the authority set up by the governor, and we
will also give the authorities of the town such assistance
against any such persons as needs may require."

A few refused to sign this paper. They were punished by having the
soldiers quartered upon them.

Fort Orange was, at this time, the extreme frontier post, in the north
and west of New Netherland. Though t