Stuyvesant’s long-looked-for hour had come.  He arrested the boat’s crew, and sent them all to the guard-house.  He also seized the Shark and transferred her cargo to the Company’s magazine on shore.  He then sent a courteous message to Governor Rising, at New Sweden, inviting him to visit New Amsterdam, “to arrange and settle some unexpected differences.”  He promised him a hospitable reception, but declared that he should detain the Swedish ship and cargo, “until a reciprocal restitution shall have been made.”  Governor Rising declined the invitation, not deeming it judicious to place himself so effectually in the power of his impetuous antagonist.

Upon the capture of fort Casimir, Governor Stuyvesant had immediately sent word of the occurrence to the Amsterdam Directors.  In November he received their reply.  It was, in brief, as follows: 

“We hardly know whether we are more astonished at the audacious enterprise of the Swedes in taking our fort on the South river, or at the cowardly surrender of it by our commander, which is nearly insufferable.  He has acted very unfaithfully, yea treacherously.  We entreat you to exert every nerve to avenge that injury, not only by restoring affairs to their former situation, but by driving the Swedes from every side of the river.  We have put in commission two armed ships, the King Solomon and the Great Christopher.  The drum is beaten daily in the streets of Amsterdam for volunteers.  And orders are given for the instant arrest of Bikker.”

Stuyvesant adopted vigorous measures to cooperate with the little fleet upon its arrival, in its warfare against New Sweden.  The 25th of August, 1655, was set apart as a day of fasting and prayer,

“to implore the only bountiful God, that it may please him to bless the projected enterprise, undertaken only for the greater security, extension and consolidation of this province, and to render it prosperous and successful to the glory of his name.”

Enlistments were pushed with great energy.  Three North river vessels were chartered, pilots were engaged and provisions and ammunition laid in store.  A French privateer, L’Esperance, which chanced to enter the harbor of New Amsterdam at this time, was also engaged for the service.

It seems hardly consistent with the religious character of Stuyvesant and with his prayers for the divine blessing, that the Lord’s day should have been chosen for the sailing of the expedition.  But on the first Sunday in September, after the morning sermon, the sails of the little squadron of seven vessels were unfurled and the fleet put to sea, containing a military force of about seven hundred men.  Governor Stuyvesant in person, commanded the expedition.  He was accompanied by the Vice-Governor, De Lille, and by Domine Megapolensis, as chaplain.