meeting and. laid the matter before them, especially -asking if it

was not just that the murder should be avenged, and if in case the Weckquaesgeeks would not surrender the murderer, it would not be "just to destroy the whole village" to which he belonged and if so, in what manner, when, and by whom such chastise The meeting referred the pro ment should be inflicted. " twelve select to men," who, with greater discernment position ;

of the consequences of an open rupture with the Indians than the director, reported that while the murder should be avenged they thought

" God and the

consideration," and that

in

opportunity should be taken into the meantime the director should

make suitable arrangements for sustaining an attempt at inflicting punishment.

In case

hostilities

thought the director should nity should

" follow his

should be inaugurated, they van," while the commu

" lead the

steps and obey his commands."

They

advised, however, as an offset to this quiet bit of sarcasm, that

before anything else was done the director should send up a shallop to the Weckquaesgeeks to demand of them

"

once, twic e, yea for

OF HUDSON'S RIVER.

a third time," the surrender of the murderer in a " friendly

manner." Offended and bent on war, Kieft " would not listen."

Re

maining inactive until November, he consulted each of the " twelve" separately on the question of immediate hostilities ; but the latter remained firmly opposed.

In the winter he repeated