Ensign Smith, finding his orders disobeyed, and hostilities actually commenced by a people whose movements he could not control, determined to leave the settlers to their fate by Learning returning with his command to Fort Amsterdam. his intention, the settlers frustrated his design by chartering, on their own account, all the sailing vessels that lay at the shore in

which he and his men intended to embark.

The only alterna

tive that remained to him was to send an express to the director,

detailing the state this purpose in

of affairs and requesting his presence.

With

view he sent an armed party, eighteen or nine-

His associates were Jacob Jansen Van

Thomas Higgins, Gysbert Phillipsen Van Velthuysen, Evert Pels, Stoutenberg,

Jan Arentsen,BarentHarmaensen, Martin Hoffman, Gilles de Wecker, Abel DirckO'Callasen, and James the mason.

gban, n, 396. a

A full investigation into this affair by

the proper authorities attached the blame entirely upon the men engaged in the foray,

OF HUDSON'S RIPER. teen

in

number,

to

the

shore to forward dispatches.

In the

meantime, the Indians had gathered in considerable numbers, determined to avenge the attack which had t>een made upon their kindred. Observing the party which had been sent out

by Smith, an ambuscade was formed, into which, on their re turn, the company fell and were immediately surrounded by the Indians, to whom thirteen of the party, including the officer in

command and six soldiers, surrendered without any resistance, and were borne off -into captivity.

Open war was now declared.