HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 105

CHAPTER III.

THE CIVIL HISTORY OF BREUCKELEN.
1646-1664.

THE HISTORY of Breuckelen, during the period intervening between its incorporation in 1646 and the conquest of Nieuw Netherland by the English, in 1664, presents but few points of interest or importance. It is mentioned in h remain to us, was simply that of an agricultural community, differing in no respect from the neighboring towns, and inferior to none (except, it may be, to Midwout, now Flatbush) in wealth or political influence.

Stuyvesant, the new Director-General, on his arrival in 1647, found Nieuw Netherland in an exceedingly “low condition.” Excepting the Long Island settlements, the colony contained scarcely fifty “bouweries” under cultivation, and less than three hundred men capable of bearing arms. The commonalty were disorderly and discontented; the public revenue seriously impaired by inefficient or dishonest officials; trade rained by smuggling; and the general safety weakened by bickerings and disputes with colonial patroons, concerning rights of jurisdiction. The Savages, also, brooding over their past defeats, evidently waited only for an opportunity to avenge their losses; and jealous neighbors were secretly plotting against the Dutch rule in America. Stuyvesant, however, entered upon the task of reform with an energy peculiarly characteristic, and in less than three months, disorder was restrained, the revenues protected, and trade revived. The Indians were conciliated, and a tolerably good understanding established with the New England Colonies. The powers of government-executive, legislative, and judicial—which he assumed, were quite extensive, and.

1 N. Y. Col. MSS., 1. 285.