om
Virginia to Newfoundland. We know nothing of any Dutch
plantations there, excepting a few settlers up the Hudson.
We do not think it necessary at present, to settle the
boundaries. It can be done hereafter, at any convenient
time."

A naval war soon broke out. England, without warning, seized the ships
of Holland in English ports, and impressed their crews. The Dutch war
fleet was entrusted to Admiral Tromp. He was enjoined to protect the
Dutch vessels from visitation or search by foreign cruisers, and not
to strike his flag to English ships of war. The instructions of the
commanders of the British men of war, were to compel the ships of all
foreign nations whatever, to strike their colors to the British flag.
England thus set up its arrogant claim to "its undoubted right to the
dominion of the surrounding seas."

The English fleet, under Admiral Blake, met the Dutch fleet in the
Strait of Dover, on the 29th of May, 1632, and a bloody but undecisive
battle ensued. A series of terrible naval conflicts followed, with
victory now on the one side and now on the other. At length Blake,
discomfited, was compelled to take refuge in the Thames. Admiral
Tromp, rather vain-gloriously, placed a broom at his masthead to
indicate that he had swept the channel of all English ships.

In this state of affairs the Directors wrote to Governor Stuyvesant,
saying,

"Though we hope that you have so agreed with the colonists
of New England about boundaries that we have nothing to fear
from them, still we consider it an imperious duty to
recommend you to arm and discipline all freemen, soldiers
and sailors; to appoint officers and places of rendezvous;
to supply them with ammunition; and to inspect the
fortifications at New Amsterdam, fort Orange and fort
Casimir. To this end we send you a fresh supply of
ammunition.

"If it should happen, which we will not suppose, that New
Englanders incline to take part in these broils, then we
should advise your honor to engage the Indians in your
cause, who, we are informed, are not partial to the English.
You will also employ all such means of defence as prudence
may require for your security, taking care that the
merchants and inhabitants convey their property within the
forts.

"Treat them kindly, so that they may be encouraged to remain
there, and to give up the though