The civic authority, the clergy and the commanders of the Burgher corps, promptly assembled in the City Hall and drew up the following earnest remonstrance, which was immediately presented to the governor and his council.  We give it slightly abbreviated.

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“Right Honorable!  We, your sorrowful subjects, beg to represent, in these sad circumstances, that having maturely weighed what was necessary to be done, we cannot foresee, for this fort and city of Manhattans, in further resistance, aught else than misery, sorrow, and conflagration; the dishonor of women, the murder of children, and in a word the absolute ruin of fifteen hundred innocent souls, only two hundred and fifty of whom are capable of bearing arms.

“You are aware that four of the English king’s frigates are now in the roadstead, with six hundred soldiers on board.  They have also commissions to all the governors of New England, a populous and thickly inhabited country, to impress troops, in addition to the forces already on board, for the purpose of reducing New Netherland to his Majesty’s obedience.

“These threats we would not have regarded, could we expect the smallest aid.  But, God help us, where shall we turn for assistance, to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west?  ’Tis all in vain.  On all sides we are encompassed and hemmed in by our enemies.  If, on the other hand, we examine our internal strength, alas! it is so feeble and impotent that unless we ascribe the circumstance to the mercy of God, we cannot sufficiently express our astonishment that the foe should have granted us so long a reprieve.  He could have delivered us a prey to the soldiery after one summons.

“We shall now examine your Honors’ fortress.  You know that it is incapable of making head three days, against so powerful an enemy.  Even could it hold out one, two, three, four, five or six months, which to our sorrow it cannot do, it is still undeniable that it cannot save the smallest portion of our entire city, our property and what is dearer to us, our wives and children, from total ruin.  And after considerable bloodshed the fort itself could not be preserved.

“Wherefore, to prevent the aforesaid misfortunes, we humbly, and in bitterness of heart, implore your Honors not to reject the conditions of so generous a foe, but to be pleased to meet him in the speediest, best and most reputable manner.  Otherwise, which God forbid, we are obliged to protest before God and the world; and to call down upon your Honors the vengeance of Heaven for all the innocent blood which shall be shed in consequence of your Honors’ obstinacy; inasmuch as the commissioners have this day informed us that the English general has stated that he shall not wait any longer than this day.

“We trust your Honors will not question that to God, who seeks not the death