to the States-General an "Account of the
Circumstances preceding the surrender of New Netherland." It was a
triumphant vindication of his conduct. But the unfortunate are rarely
treated with justice. The pride of Holland was deeply touched by the
loss of its North American possessions. Governor Stuyvesant soon
returned to New York, and lived in much seclusion in his spacious
house on his farm, until he died, in the year 1672. The governor's
remains were entombed at his chapel in the Bouwery, now St. Mark's
Church.

There were two roads which led from the fort at the Battery, to the
northern part of the island. One of these followed along the present
line of Broadway to what is now the Park, which was at that time a
large unenclosed open field far out of town called the Common. The
road then wound along by the southeastern side of the common and by
the line of Chatham street and the Bouwery out to Harlaem. This became
eventually the "Old Post Road" to Boston. Governor Stuyvesant's
Bouwery consisted of many acres of land. The farm embraced the land in
the region of Third avenue and Thirteenth street. In the spring of
1647, a pear tree was planted upon this spot, which was long known as
"Stuyvesant's pear tree." For more than two centuries it continued to
bear fruit. In its latter years, this venerable relic of the past was
cherished with the utmost care. It presented many touching indications
of its extreme old age. In its two hundred and twentieth year it
bloomed for the last time. "Since the fall of the tree," writes Mr.
Stone, "a promising shoot from the ancient stock has taken its place,
and shows a hardy vigor which may yet enable it to rival its
progenitor in age."

In the year 1665, the year which followed the capture of the city, war
broke out between England and Holland. It was then generally expected
that the States of Holland would make an attempt to recover the lost
territory of New Netherland. It was rumored that De Ruyter, one of the
Dutch Admirals, had actually set sail, with a large squadron, for New
York. The rumor caused great commotion in the city. The national
spirit of the Dutch residents was roused to intensity. De Ruyter had
indeed sailed with the object of recapturing the province.

Colonel Nicholls was a man of great energy. He immediately commenced
with all vigor, the work of repairing the crumbling fortifications,
and of erecting new ones. But he found none to co-operate heartily
with him,