The Netherlands, however, opposed a powerful and eventually successful resistance to the allies, both on land and sea. The dykes were opened, the Prince of Orange, who had been invested with supreme authority, brilliantly defended his country against the invader at every point, and the French armies were forced to retire. The Dutch navy, triumphing over both the French and English fleets, in a number of decisive engagements, soon entered upon a course of aggression beyond the seas. A squadron under Admirals Evertsen and Binckes, after making a successful descent in the West Indies, proceeded to New York, anchoring off Sandy Hook on July 29, 1673. Governor Lovelace was away at the time, upon business relating to our county, in connection with the new Boston Post Road. Some resistance was offered, which was speedily overcome, the English garrison capitulated, and soon Dutch authority was restored fullmm

1 Van Pelt's Hist, of the Greater New York,

!., 67.

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

fledged throughout the Province of New York. The city was renamed New Orange, in honor of the prince, and Captain Anthony Colve was installed as governor. He immediately took measures to put the city in a capital condition of defense. To that end, and for the general purposes of his government, he caused the estates of the citizens to be appraised, and taxed them accordingly. It was as an incident of this proceeding that Frederick Philipse was ascertained to be the wealthiest inhabitant, with a fortune of 80,000 guilders. One of Colve's summary acts was his attempted confiscation of the property of the infant Lewis Morris, which he was prevented from accomplishing by the skillful address of Colonel Morris. The governor very promptly notified the settlements of the existence of the new regime, and demanded their obedient submission. One of the first to receive his attention in this regard was Westchester, or Oostdorp, whose recalcitrant behavior at the advent of the English in 1664 will be recalled by the reader.