Today, the Huguenot-Walloon Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin remembers the change from Dutch rule to British rule and the incorporation of New York on June 12, 1665.
From The description of the city of New York by James Hardie, published in 1827:
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That Governor Stuyvesant was indefatigable in the service of his employers is evident from the whole of his conduct, but particularly so from his letters, exciting them to take care of the colony. In one dated April 20th, 1660, he writes thus, ” Your Honors imagine, that the troubles in England will prevent any attempts on these parts. Alas ! they are ten to one in number to us and able, without any assistance, to deprive us of the country when they please,” and on the 20th of June following he informs them, that the demands and encroachments of the English gave the people here great concern and though, says he, “the right to both rivers by purchase and possession is our own, without doubt, we apprehend, that they, our more powerful neighbors, lay their claim under a royal charter.”
About the same time, while the colonists of New England, were daily encroaching upon the Dutch, Lord Sterling was soliciting the King for a confirmation of his right to the whole of Long Island, which had been granted to him by his royal father, and the inhabitants of Maryland were becoming exceedingly troublesome.
Of all these difficulties Stuyvesant informed his masters at length, in a letter dated 21st July, 1661 in which he also mentions that the king of England had been solicited to invade their territories, for which purpose three or four frigates had been solicited and that he had been made to believe that the Dutch West India Company held this country, under an unlawful title, having only obtained leave of James I for a watering place on Staten Island.
It was somewhat remarkable, that while the Dutch were contending with their European neighbors, they had always been able to maintain friendship with the natives, until the war which broke out with the Indians in Ulster county in 1661; but this continued for a very short time.
The fact is, that the Dutch treated them with justice and humanity, and if other nations had acted in the same judicious manner, we would have had few complaints respecting Indian massacres and barbarity.
On the 12th March, 1664, King Charles II by letters patent under the great seal of England, granted to his brother James duke of York, his heirs and assigns all Mattawacks, now Long Island, all Hudson’s river, and all the lands from the West side of Connecticut river to the East side of Delaware bay, together with all royalties and the right of government.
Of this the Duke sold all that part, which includes the present state of New Jersey, in June 1664, to Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, in as full a manner as he had received it. And this possession of the English was confirmed on the 21st July, 1667 by the treaty of Breda between Charles II and the States general.
The remaining part of the property granted, now the state of New York, was so called in honor of the Duke of York. New Jersey took its name from the isle of Jersey, in compliment to Sir George Carteret, whose family came from thence.
Soon after the grant of this patent, King Charles dispatched a small force for the purpose of subduing the country.
Of the designs of the English against them, the Dutch inhabitants were, by the vigilance of their governor, apprised on the 8th of July, who then received information that an expedition was preparing against them, consisting of three vessels of 40 or 50 guns each, having on board about three hundred soldiers and that they lay at Portsmouth waiting for a wind. It afterwards turned out that there were four vessels.
The burgomasters were thereupon called into Council who ordered the fort to be put in the best state of defense. The squadron soon after arrived at Boston, where the commissioners had a conference with the Council, and earnestly besought the assistance of that colony; but they did not then comply with the request, although they did soon after.
The reasons urged in their excuse were poverty and the season, it being then harvest; but perhaps disaffection to the Stuart family, by whose persecuting spirit, they had been driven from their native country, might have been the true spring of their conduct.
As soon as all the vessels arrived at New York, which was on the 26th August, Stuyvesant sent a polite letter to the English commanders, desiring the reason of their approach and continuance in the harbor, without giving notice to the Dutch, Colonel Nichols sent an answer the next day, with a summons to surrender. It is addressed “To the Honorable the Governor and chief Council of the Manhattans.”
In this document, he informs them, that the King his sovereign had, for the maintenance of his unquestionable rights, commanded him to require from the Dutch the surrender of all forts, towns or places of strength under their jurisdiction and that he, in his majesty’s name, demanded the immediate surrender of the town situate on the island of Manhattoes, with all the forts thereunto belonging.
He concludes, by assuring them, that every Dutch inhabitant, who should readily submit to his majesty’s government, should be secured in his estate, life and liberty, and concludes by expressing his expectation, that he would receive an answer by the four gentlemen, whom he had dispatched with the summons.
Dated on board his majesty’s ship the Gwyny, 31st Aug. 1664, and subscribed “Robert Nichols.”
Stuyvesant promised an answer the next morning and, in the meantime, convened the council and burgomasters, he was a brave soldier, had lost a leg in the service of his country and was desirous of defending the place, by all the means in his power.
He, therefore, refused both to the inhabitants and burgomasters, a sight of the summons, least the easy terms proposed might induce them to capitulate. The inhabitants were called together at the Stadt-house and informed of the governor’s refusal.
On the 2d Sept. the burgomasters came into council and demanded to see the summons, which he, in a fit of anger, tore to pieces. Upon this, they protested against the act and all its consequences. But notwithstanding the yielding disposition of the inhabitants to the British commissioners, our gallant veteran having resolved on a vigorous resistance, sent them a long letter vindicating the justice of the Dutch claims, to the territories, which they occupied in this country and his determination to support them. This is dated, at the Fort at Amsterdam 3d Sept. 1664.
While the governor and council were contending with the burgomasters and people in the city, the English commissioners published a proclamation in the country, encouraging the inhabitants to submit, and promising them all the privileges of British subjects.
Many, on discovering from Stuyvesant’s letter, which was then, likewise, published, that he was averse to the surrender, being fearful of the impending storm, resolved to join the strongest party and began on Long Island to beat up for volunteers.
The honest governor being thus invaded by a foreign enemy and not only deserted, but even threatened by those on whose friendship he had depended, perceiving that resistance would only occasion the wanton effusion of blood, agreed to the appointment of certain distinguished citizens, who, in conjunction with the British commissioners should conclude a treaty for the surrender of the colony.
This instrument consisted of 23 articles, of which it is sufficient to give the outlines of some of the most prominent.
The States General or West India Company were to enjoy all farms and houses, except those in the forts and had liberty, within six months, to transport all the arms and ammunition, which belonged to them.
The people might remain free denizens and occupy or dispose of their lands, houses and goods as they pleased.
They were to enjoy free liberty of conscience, and retain their own customs respecting their inheritances.
No judgment, which had passed any of their courts of judicature could be called in question, and all previous differences respecting contracts were to be determined according to the manner of the Dutch.
No Dutchman nor Dutch ship could be pressed to serve in war against any nation whatever and no soldiers quartered on the inhabitants.
Inferior civil officers might continue to fill their stations till the customary time of new election, and the inhabitants were entitled to chose deputies, who should have free voices in all public affairs.
The soldiers were to march out with the honors of war and each of them, who chose to remain in the country, was entitled to 50 acres of land.
These articles were approved by Colonel Nichols on the 7th September and on the 9th by Governor, Stuyvesant.
The town of Fort Amsterdam, now assumed the name of New York.
The terms of capitulation were so satisfactory to the inhabitants, that within two days after the surrender, the military aid, which had been sent on from Boston, was dismissed.
Hudson’s river was still, however, to be reduced.
Sir George Carteret was commissioned for that purpose and subdued Fort Orange, which, on its capitulation, on the 24th September, he called Albany in honor of the proprietor James Duke of York and Albany.
Very few of the inhabitants left the country.
Even Governor Stuyvesant himself ended his days in peace on his own estate, situate about a mile and a half to the Eastward of the City Hall, which said estate is now possessed by Nicholas and Peter Stuyvesant Esqs. and their two sisters the ladies of General Nicholas Fish and of Benjamin Winthrop Esq. his descendants of the 5th generation.
It is but justice to observe that the descendants of those honest Dutchmen, who, in the year 1664, were compelled to surrender the city and province to the superior force of the British have, in general, been exceeded by none of their fellow citizens in honesty, industry and sobriety.
They are, likewise, entitled to great credit for their uniform attachment to that constitution, under which we now so happily live.
Many of them at the present day, hold distinguished offices under the national and state governments, the corporation of our cities and also in the church and with very few exceptions, perform their respective duties, in such a manner, as is honorable to themselves and advantageous to the public.
Colonel Nichols having thus got possession of the country, assumed the government by the title of “deputy governor, under his royal highness the Duke of York, over all his territories in America.”
Soon after the commencement of his administration, he with great prudence, endeavored to promote the gradual introduction of the English methods of government.
Hence on the 12th June, 1665, he incorporated the inhabitants of New York, under a mayor, five aldermen and a sheriff. Till that time, the city was governed according to the mode which then prevailed in Holland.
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The Huguenot-Walloon Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin shows with an artist’s image of New Amsterdam, circa 1664, before becoming New York.
