ectors had this "most infamous and lying libel,"
translated into their own language and sent a copy to Governor
Stuyvesant and his council, saying: "We wish that your honors may see
what stratagems that nation employs, not only to irritate the
populace, but the whole world if possible and to stir it up against
us."

The position of Governor Stuyvesant had become exceedingly
uncomfortable. He was liable at any day to have from abroad war's most
terrible storm burst upon him. And the enemy might come in such force
that he would be utterly unable to make any effectual resistance. On
the other hand the Dutch settlements were composed of emigrants from
all lands. Many Englishmen, dissatisfied with the rigid rule of the
New England colonies, had taken their residence in New Netherland.

The arbitrary rule of Stuyvesant was obnoxious to the majority of his
subjects, and they were increasingly clamorous for a more liberal and
popular government. On the 16th of December, 1630, a very important
popular convention was held at New Amsterdam, composed of delegates
from eight towns. There were nineteen delegates, ten of whom were
Dutch and nine English. Unanimously they avowed fealty to the
government of Holland. But they remonstrated against the establishment
of an arbitrary government; and complained that laws had been enacted
without the consent of the people.

"This," said they,

"is contrary to the granted privilege of the Netherland
government and odious to every free-born man; and especially
so to those whom God has placed in a free state in
newly-settled lands, who are entitled to claim laws not
transcending, but resembling as near as possible those of
the Netherlands."

There were several minor offences enumerated to which we need not here
refer. The memorial was drawn up by an Englishman, George Baxter. The
imperious Stuyvesant was greatly annoyed by this document. To weaken
its effect, he declared that the delegates had no authority to act or
even to meet upon such questions. He endeavored to rouse national
prejudice against the document by saying:

"The most ancient colony of Manhattan, the colonies of
Rensselaerswyck and Staten Island and the settlements at
Beaverswyck and on the South river are too prudent to
subscribe to all that has been projected by an Englishman;
as if among the Netherlands' nation there is no one
sagacious and expert enough to dra