Three envoys from New Amsterdam visited the savages bearing these presents.  They were received with the courtesies which civilized nations accord to a flag of truce.  In this way twenty-eight more captives were ransomed.  The promise was given that others should be soon brought in.  Governor Stuyvesant inquired at what price they would release all the remaining prisoners en masse, or what they would ask for each individual.  They deliberated upon the matter and then replied that they would deliver up twenty-eight prisoners for seventy-eight pounds of powder, and forty staves of lead.

The governor immediately sent the amount, and hoping to excite their generosity, added as a present in token of friendly feeling, thirty-five pounds of powder and ten staves of lead.  But the savages did not appreciate this kindness.  They returned the twenty-eight prisoners and no more.

The governor of the Swedish colony on the Delaware arrived at New Amsterdam with a numerous suite, awaiting their transportation to Europe according to the terms of the capitulation.  He was in very ill humor, and Governor Stuyvesant found it impossible to please him.  He entered bitter complaints against the governor, declaring that the articles of the late treaty had been grossly violated.

“In Christina,” said he,

“the women were violently driven out of their houses.  The oxen, cows and other animals were butchered.  Even the horses were wantonly shot.  The whole country was desolated.  Your men carried off even my own property, and we were left without means of defence against the savages.  No proper accommodations have been provided for me and my suite at New Amsterdam, and our expenses have not been defrayed.”

With much dignity Governor Stuyvesant vindicated himself.  “I offered,” he said,

“to leave fort Christina in your possession, but you refused it.  I am not responsible for any property for which I have not given a receipt.  On account of your high station, I offered more than once to entertain you in my own house.  As this did not satisfy you, you were induced to reside in one of the principal houses of the city.  There you indulged in unmannerly threats that you would return and destroy this place.  This so annoyed the people of the house that, for peace sake, they abandoned their lodgings.

“The rumors of these threats reached the ears of the captains of the small vessels, and the passengers with whom you were to embark.  They did not deem it safe to take you and your suite, with such a large number of dependents.  They feared to land you in England or France, unless they should chance to meet some English or French vessel in the Channel.  We entered into no obligation to defray your expenses or those of your unusual suite.”

Soon after this Governor Rising and his attendants were embarked for Europe in two vessels.  A narrative was, at the same time, sent to the fatherland of the recent Indian troubles.  The defenceless condition of the country was explained and assistance earnestly implored.