Kieft was exceedingly embarrassed.

He was very unpopular; was getting the colony deeper and deeper into difficulty, and was accused of seeking war with the Indians that he "might make a wrong reckoning with the Company." In this emergency, that others might share the responsibility with him, he reluctantly sought the counsel of the community.

Twelve "select men" were chosen to consider the propositions to be submitted to them by the Director.

To them the question was propounded: "Is it not just, that the murder lately committed by a savage, upon Claes Smits, be avenged and punished?
In case the Indians will not surrender the murderer, is it not just to destroy the whole village to which he belongs?
In what manner, when, and by whom ought this to be executed ?" The result of their deliberations was, in brief, as follows: "Our harvest is still ungathered; our cattle are scattered in the woods.

Many of the inhabitants, unsuspicious of danger, are at a distance.