History has but one voice, and that of the severest condemnation, in reference to these transactions on the part of the English government. Mr. O'Callaghan writes:
"Thus was fitly consummated an act of spoliation which, in a
period of profound peace, wrested this province from the
rightful owners, by violating all public justice and
infringing all public law. The only additional outrage that
remained was to impose on the country the name of one
unknown in history, save as a bigot and a tyrant, the enemy
of religious and political freedom wherever he ruled. New
Netherland was accordingly called New York."
Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, in his outline of the State of New York writes, "In the history of the royal ingrates by whom it was planned and for whose benefit it was perpetrated, there are few acts more base, none more characteristic."
Mr. Brodhead, in his admirable History of the State of New York, says,
"The flag of England was, at length, triumphantly displayed
where for half a century that of Holland had triumphantly
waved; and from Virginia to Canada, the king of Great
Britain was acknowledged as sovereign. Whatever may have
been its ultimate consequences, this treacherous and violent
seizure of the territory and possessions of an unsuspecting
ally, was no less a breach of private justice than of public
faith. It may indeed be affirmed that, among all the acts of
selfish perfidy which royal ingratitude conceived and
executed, there have been few more characteristic and none
more base."
Thus the Dutch dominion in North America passed forever away. I cannot refrain from quoting the just tribute to the Dutch government contained in Mr. Brodhead's History. "Holland," he writes,
"has long been the theme for the ridicule of British
writers; and even in this country the character and manners
of the Dutch have been made the subjects of an unworthy
depreciation. Yet, without undervaluing others, it may
confidently be claimed that, to no nation in the world is
the Republic of the West more indebted than to the United
Provinces, for the idea of the confederation of sovereign
States; for noble principles of constitutional freedom; for
magnanimous sentiments of religious toleration; for
characteristic sympathy with subjects of oppression; for
liberal doctrines in trade and commerce; for illustrious
patterns of public integrity and private virtue, and for
generous and timely aid in the establishment of
independence. Nowhere among the people of the United States
can men be found excelling in honesty, industry, courtesy or
accomplishment, the posterity of the early Dutch settlers of
New Netherland."
Soon after the surrender, Governor Stuyvesant was recalled to Europe to vindicate his conduct. The severest charges were brought against him. He addressed 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.