t was somewhat secret, and they
endeavored to conceal from the governor the papers which were drawn
up, containing the charges against him. The spirit of Stuyvesant was
roused.

He went in person, with some officers, to the chamber of Van Der
Donck, when he was absent, seized his papers, and then caused him to
be arrested and imprisoned.

The Vice Director, Van Diricklagen, accompanied by a delegation from
the people, protested against these proceedings, and demanded that Van
Der Donck should be released from captivity and held on bail.
Stuyvesant refused, saying that the prisoner was arrested, "for
calumniating the officers of government; that his conduct tended to
bring the sovereign authority into contempt." Van Der Donck was
punished by banishment from the council and from the board of Nine
Men.

Just before this, two prominent men, Kuyter and Melyn, demanded an
appeal to the people in reference to some act of Kieft's reckless
administration. Stuyvesant took the alarm. If the people could judge
of Kieft's administration, his own might be exposed to the same
ordeal. Convening a special council, he said,

"These petitioners are disturbers of the public peace. If we
grant their request, will not the cunning fellows, in order
to usurp over us a more unlimited power, claim even greater
authority against ourselves, should it happen that our
administration may not square in every respect with their
whims. It is treason to petition against one's magistrate
whether there be cause or not."

The unfortunate petitioners were now arraigned on various charges. The
Governor and his subservient Council acted both as prosecutors and
judges. The prisoners were accused of instigating the war with the
savages, of counselling the mortgaging of Manhattan to the English,
and of threatening Kieft with personal violence. The case was speedily
decided and sentence was pronounced. Stuyvesant wished Melyn to be
punished with death and confiscation of property. But the majority of
the Council held back the Governor's avenging hand. Still he succeeded
in sentencing Melyn to seven years' banishment, to a fine of three
hundred guilders, and to forfeit all benefits derived from the
Company. Kuyter was sentenced to three years' banishment and to a fine
of one hundred and fifty guilders. They were also denied the right of
appeal to the fatherland.

"If I were persuaded," said the Governor, "that you would d