party. The little fleet of four ships left the Texel on Christmas
day of 1646. The expedition, running in a southerly direction, first
visited the West India islands. On the voyage the imperious temper of
Stuyvesant very emphatically developed itself.

Holland was then at war with Spain. A prize was captured and the
question arose respecting its disposal. Fiscal Van Dyck claimed, by
virtue of his office, a seat at the council board and a voice in the
decision. The governor rudely repulsed him with the words,

"Get out. Who admitted you into the council. When I want you I will
call you."

When they arrived at Curacoa, Van Dyck again made an attempt to gain
that place in the Council to which he thought his office legitimately
entitled him. Stuyvesant punished him by confining him to the ship,
not allowing him to step on shore. All the other officers and soldiers
were freely allowed to recruit themselves by strolling upon the land.

Upon reaching Manhattan, Stuyvesant was received by the whole
community with great rejoicing. And when he said, "I shall reign over
you as a father governs his children," they were perhaps not fully
aware of the dictatorial spirit which was to animate his government.
With wonderful energy he immediately devoted himself to the reform of
abuses. Though he availed himself of absolute power, taking counsel of
no one, all his measures seem to have been adopted, not for the
advancement of his own selfish interests, but for the promotion of the
public good.

Proclamations were issued against Sabbath desecration, intemperance
and all quarrelling. No intoxicating liquors were to be sold to the
savages under a penalty of five hundred guilders. _And the seller was
also to be held responsible for any injury which the savage might
inflict, while under the influence of strong drink_. After the ringing
of the nine o'clock bell in the evening, intoxicating drinks were not
to be sold to any person whatever.

To draw a knife in a quarrel was to be punished with a heavy fine and
six months imprisonment. If a wound was inflicted the penalty was
trebled. Great faults accompanied this development of energy. The new
governor assumed "state and pomp like a peacock's." He kept all at a
distance from him, exacted profound homage, and led many to think that
he would prove a very austere father. All his acts were characterized
by great vigor.

New Amsterdam, at that time, presented a very dilapidated and
deplora