A History of New York, from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty

by Diedrich Knickerbocker (Pseudonym), Washington Irving

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1829. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ( 211 ) CHAPTER VIII. How Peter Stuyvesant defended the city of New-Amsterdam, for several days, by dint of the strength of his head. There is something exceedingly sublime and melancholy, in the spectacle which the present crisis of our history presents. An illustrious and venerable little city--the metropolis of an immense extent of uninhabited country--garrisoned by a doughty host of orators, chairmen, committee-men, burgomasters, schepens, and old women--governed by a determined and strong-headed warrior, and fortified by mud batteries, pallisadoes, and resolutions--blockaded by sea, beleaguered by land, and threatened with direful desolation from without; while its very vitals are torn with internal faction and commotion! Never did historic pen record a page of more complicated distress, unless it be the strife that distracted the Israelites during the siege of Jerusalem--where discordant parties were cutting each other's throats, at the moment when the victorious legions of Titus had toppled down their bulwarks, and were carrying fire and sword into the very sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Governor Stuyvesant, having triumphantly, as has been recorded, put his grand council to the rout, and 212 PETER'S GALLANT LETTER. thus delivered himself from a multitude of impertinent advisers, despatched a categorical reply to the commanders of the invading squadron; wherein he asserted the right and title of their High Mightinesses the Lords States General to the province of NewNetherlands, and, trusting in the righteousness of his cause, set the whole British nation at defiance! My anxiety to extricate my readers and myself from these disastrous scenes, prevents me from giving the whole of this gallant letter, which concluded in these manly and affectionate terms: "A...

56 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 1809

About the author

Diedrich Knickerbocker is a pen name used by Washington Irving to publish his first satirical work A History of New York.