RIOTS IN NEW YORK TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

Temuka Leader, Issue 550, 9 July 1881, Page 2

RIOTS IN NEW YORK TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

When intelligence of the conclusion of peace arrived at that settlement on the 7th May, and it was found that the province was to be restored to England, the ragej of the Dutch populace knew no bounds. They were distracted with grief and passion. With the unreasoning of an excited mob, they conceived that they had been betrayed, and poured forth curses and execration against the Prince of Orange, the States-General, the Dutch Admirals, and the Governor, vowing that they would not surrender even at the conmand of the home authorities, but would continue the struggle as long as they could stand on one leg, or fight with one had. They assembled in tumultuous, crowds crying, “ We’ll fire the town, pull down the fortifications, and tear out the Governor’s throat!” So serious was the disturbance that Colve found it necessary to propitiate the people by imprisoning the bearer of the news—a step which probably saved his life. He was thrown into the dnngeon of-the fort and told to prepare himself for death, for in two days he. should die. At the same time the go-. vernor confiscated the goods and effects of English colonists found within his jurisdiction, together with all outstanding debts duo to them A. fortnight later three New England vessels were brought in by Dutch cruisers, and condemned aa lawful prizes, notwithstanding that peace was then known to have been proclaimed. Before the end of June the Governor had retracted his, sentence of confiscation, and it does not appear that the unhappy bringcr of the bad news was subjected to the dea,th with which he had been menaced, tiansfer of the city and of the whole colony to the representative followed, ,at the of uw-lvd treacherously or- 1 weakly snrrpnripred the fort to the Dutch ! in l - the ; ’previous ‘ ye r ar,XvaS' < atraigfied r ' : fbj li pub-, liclychsgnyjefT; f wmilcjn deeel, nave been shot, but’ for' the intercessionVOf Majqr An^yoa.—Cassell's Illustrated ffistory of the United States. , i |