Articles of Surrender of New Netherland

Director-General Peter Stuyvesant conceded two days later to the capture of New Amsterdam by Richard Nicolls, who would become the first Governor of the Province of New York.

[1] The lead negotiator for the Dutch side was Stuyvesant's lawyer Johannes de Decker.

Negotiated at Stuyvesant Farm, the articles of surrender were signed by De Decker on an English ship in the harbor.

The terms were mostly adhered to by the English in the remainder of the conquest of New Netherland, with the notable exception of the mistreatment of Dutch prisoners of war at New Amstel.

of Richard Nichols Esqr Deputy Gov.r of His Royal Highness the Duke of York and Peter Stuyvesant in the name of the Estates Generalls of the United Belgick Provinces and West India Company Govern.r of the sd Town and ffort and Generall of that Province and in that quality ratified, and by their subscription confirmed the 29th day of the above Month and year.

Wee consent that the States Generall, or the West India Company shall freely enjoy all ffarms & Houses (except such as are in the fforts) and that within six months they shall have free Liberty to transport, all such arms and ammunition as now do belong to them, or else they shall be payd for them.

All people shall continue free Denizons and enjoy their Lands, Houses, Goods, Ships, wherever they are within this Country, and dispose of them as they please.

No Dutchman here or Dutch Ships here shall upon any occasion be prest to serve in Warr against any Nation whatsoever.

If itt do appear that there is a publick ingagement of Debt by the Town of Manhatons, and a way agreed on for the satisfying of gt engagement.

All Differences of Contracts and Bargains made before this day by any in this Country shall bee determined according to the manner of the Dutch.

If it do appear that the west India Company of Amsterdam do really ow any Summs of mony to any persons here, itt is agreed that Recognition and other Duties payable by Ships going for the Motherlands, bee continued for six months longer.

The officers Military & Soldiers shall march out with their Armes, Drums Bating and Colours flying, and lighted matches; and if any of them will plant they shall have fifty acres of land sett out for them; if any of them will serve any as Servants they shall continue with all safety and become free Denizons afterwards.

If at any time hereafter the King of Great Britaine and the States of the Motherlands do agree that this place and Country be redelivered into the hands of the said States whensoever His Maty will send His Commands to redeliver itt, itt shall immediately be done.

on Munday next by sight of [6] the Clock in the morning at the old Milne and these Articles consented to, and signed by Coll Richd.