Ebook The Dutch and Quaker Colonies in America

Ment in the English colonies and made it pos sible for them at length to come together in a great Federal Union. Such remote results were not within the ken Of James, Duke of York. Thoughts of commerce rather than Of empire filled his mind, and none could deny that the trade in peltries and the possession Ofa superb seaport were fit objects of princely care. A bigot and despot by natural temper, he had nothing to gain and everything to lose by ex hibiting such qualities as lord-proprietor of this Dutch domain. But for tact and modera tion this bloodless conquest could hardly have been made without continued moderation and tact it might prove hard to keep. Conciliation was the watchword, and no better person could have been found to carry out such a policy than Richard Richard N icolls, one of the most n'co'is genial and attractive figures in early American history. He was honest and sensible, frank but courteous in speech, open-hearted and liberal — minded, a man of refined tastes and an excellent scholar withal, fond of his Greek and Latin books, and speaking Dutch and French like a native. Wherever he went he won all hearts, and so it was in New Amster dam. The citizens were undisturbed in person or property, and it was soon felt that their rights were better protected than ever before. The old Dutch local government of burgo.