Captain-General Conninck deprived them of their arms and took twenty-three of them prisoners, and brought them to New Amsterdam on the ship " de Waagh." Only a few, with the women and children, were left behind to take care of the goods. The wives of the captives, however, plead for their husbands' release, and the soft-hearted Governor and Council finally resolved to release the prisoners after they promised, under oath and over their signatures, to remove from

I Vredelandt and out of the province within six weeks, and not to come back without the consent of the

' Dutch government. The prisoners were also required t<t pay the expenses of their a])prehension.' The petition of the captives, though quaint in language, is almost pathetic. They beg that the Governor and Council will be pleased to take into consideration the humble request of the poor and humble petitioners, and that " whereas, it doth appeare" that the government does make claim to the place where they were settled, they state that they are willing to submit themselves unto the government of the Netherlands, so long as they continue within that jurisdic-

> X. Y. Col. Docs., xiti. 6.

SN. T. Col. Docs., xiii. 36.

'Mem, Bo.

HISTOEY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

tion, provided they be allowed to choose their own officers for the enforcement of laws which may be made for the good of the township. Their petition was granted and on March 16, 1656, they were allowed to depart for Vredelandt and also to nominate a double number of officers, subject to the approval of the Director-General and Council. They at once organized and elected Lieutenant Thomas \Yheeleras their magistrate, and his selection received the sanction of the director on the same day. Some of the party, however, were ordered to leave the province unless they gave bail for good behavior.'