Acknowledges receipt of unsigned letter of 20-30 August as well as that of 1 September. Stuyvesant acknowledges the King of England's undisputed right to all the lands in North America which the Kings of France and Spain will disallow, if such are the terms of peace. The Dutch are confident of the equity and discretion of the King of Great Britain, who must have been informed that the Dutch did not come to America violently, but by virtue of a commissions from the States General in 1614, 1615, and 1616. Stuyvesant would prefer to wait for an express order from the States General ?? ?? before surrendering, however. Three years ago, some English frigates took possession of Gamba and other places in Africa with a pretended commission. If the English act by force of arms, The Dutch will protest the act as a breach of the articles of peace. To prevent bloodshed, the Dutch in New York offer a treaty by deputies Cornelius VanRuyven, Cornelius Steenwicks, Samuel Megapolensis, and James Cosseau. The Dutch have nothing to say concerning the threats in the conclusion of the letters, but that they fear only God, and may be as well preserved by him with small forces as by a great army. Nevertheless they wish the English all happiness and prosperity, and recommend them to God's protection. From the New York Secretary's Office, Lib. Entries I, 1, 1664-1665, 15 f. Examined by Goldsbrow Banyar. Entered before the Commission for settling the boundary between New York and New Jersey [ca July - October] 1769.
Subjects
United States--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; Jay, John, 1745-1829