he Indians.--Arrest of John
Scott.--Governor Winthrop's visit to Long Island.--Sailing
of the Fleet.--Preparations for War.--The False
Dispatches.--Arrival of the Fleet.--The Summons to
Surrender.

Governor Stuyvesant, with much anxiety of mind, kept a vigilant eye
upon the proceedings of John Scott, on Long Island. Some praised the
governor for the forbearance he had exhibited under the provoking
circumstances. Others severely blamed him for his course, which they
pronounced to be cowardly and disgraceful to the nation.

By the terms of the Convention, concluded between the Dutch delegates
and John Scott, it was agreed that the English villages, on the
western part of Long Island, should remain unmolested under English
rule, for the space of one year, until the king of England and the
States-General of Holland should have time to settle the question in
dispute. In the meantime the English were to have free access to all
the Dutch towns on the island, and on the mainland, for purposes of
trade; and the Dutch were to enjoy the same privilege in visiting the
English towns.

These terms were to be presented to Governor Stuyvesant for his
rejection or approval. Deciding to ratify them he took with him an
escort of ten men, and proceeded to Hempstead, on the third day of
March, 1664. Here he met the President, John Scott, with delegates
from the English towns, and the agreement was ratified.

The Dutch had now lost, one after another, every portion of territory
which the English had assailed. The whole valley of the Connecticut
river had been surrendered to the English. Westchester was entirely in
their possession. And now the important towns of Flushing, Jamaica,
Hempstead and Gravesend were yielded up to them. The whole of Long
Island was also peremptorily claimed by the English, with the
declaration that if any resistance were made to their taking
possession of it, they would seize the valley of the Hudson and the
whole of New Netherland.

The conjuncture was gloomy indeed. Governor Stuyvesant was conscious
that he was utterly powerless. He then decided it to be necessary to
call to his aid popular representation. A General Assembly of
delegates from all the towns was convoked to take into consideration
the state of the province. This important meeting was held in the City
Hall of New Amsterdam, on the 10th of April, 1664. Twenty-four
delegates were present from twelve towns.

Immediately th