Albert, the trumpeter, was with him, and both were placed under guard by the settlers and told not to advance a foot. The commander of the party advanced with a pistol in his hand and with eight or ten men following. The faithful messenger did his duty; he read the protest or warrant and handed it to the leader, who said, " I cannot understand Dutch ; why did not the Fiscal send it in

English? If you send it in English, then shall I answer in writing." He added, " But that's no matter; we expect the ships from Holland and England which are to bring the settlement of the boundary. Whether we are to dwell here under the States or the Parliament time will tell ; furthermore, we abide here under the States of England. If we had a sup ot

I wine we should offer you some, but we have not any." They then discharged their guns all round. Elslaut tried to see their houses and fixtures, and also the Parliament's arms, which the English said were hung on a tree and carved on a plank, but the ])eop]e left the messenger standing in a hut on the shore well guarded by men. The messengers were finally permitted to return and Van Elslaut made his report. '

I Such treatment roused the indignation of Stuyve-

I sant. On the fitli of March, 105(5, he and his Council instructed Captain Frederick de Conninck with Captain Lieutenant Brian Nuton and the Fiscal, Van Tienhoven, to proceed to Westchester or Ostdorp by night with a detachment of soldiers and take possession of the houses of the Englishmen, and direct them to remove with all their movable property and cattle ; they were to proceed against them by force, if necessary, and the houses were to be demolished.