“The English were the first settlers in North America, from 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 thought of returning to Holland, which would depopulate the country.  It is therefore advisable to inclose the villages, at least the principal and most opulent, with breastworks and palisades to prevent surprise.”

Looking into the future with prophetic eyes, which discerned the future glories of the rising republic, the Directors added,