ince in the first ship ready
to sail, as an example to others."

He was sent to Holland in the "Gilded Fox." Stuyvesant wrote to the
Company, "The contumacious prisoner has been banished as a terror to
others who, if not discouraged by this example, will be dealt with
still more severely."

The Company in Holland, was not at all in sympathy with its intolerant
governor. The exile was received by them respectfully. The following
dispatch, condemnatory of the severe measures of Stuyvesant, was
forwarded to him:

"Although it is our cordial desire that similar and other
sectarians may not be found there, yet, as the contrary
seems to be the fact, we doubt very much whether vigorous
proceedings against them ought not to be discontinued;
unless indeed, you intend to check and destroy your
population, which, in the youth of your existence, ought
rather to be encouraged by all possible means.

"Wherefore it is our opinion that some connivance is useful,
and that at least the consciences of men, ought to remain
free and unshackled. Let every one remain free so long as he
is modest, irreproachable in his political conduct, and so
long as he does not offend others or oppose the government.
This maxim of moderation has always been the guide of our
magistrates in this city. The consequence has been that
people have flocked from every land to this asylum. Tread
thus in their steps and we doubt not you will be blessed."

From this time persecution ceased in New Netherland. Either Governor
Stuyvesant was convinced by the argument in the above dispatch, or he
was intimidated by his rebuke. After two years of absence John Brown
returned to New Netherland, and it is said that the governor received
him as though he were ashamed of what he had done.

The year 1663 was a year of many disasters. Early in the year an
earthquake shook severely the whole of New Netherland and of the
adjacent regions. The melting of the snow in the spring, and the
falling rains caused a desolating freshet, which inundated all the
meadow lands of the rivers, utterly destroying the crops. This
calamity was followed by the small-pox, which spread with a like
rapidity and fatality among the Europeans and the Indians. Of the
Iroquois Indians over a thousand died. In addition to these calamities
came, worst of all, war with its indescribable horrors.

At Esopus the hand of i