Thus strengthened, Stuyvesant ventured to disregard the authority of the States-General.
The Dutch at Manhattan began to be clamorous for more of popular freedom.

Stuyvesant, hoping to enlist the sympathies of the governors of the English colonies in his behalf, made vigorous arrangements for the long projected meeting with the Commissioners of the United Colonies.
On the 17th of September, 1650, Governor Stuyvesant embarked at Manhattan, with his secretary, George Baxter, and quite an imposing suite.

Touching at several places along the sound, he arrived at Hartford in four days.

After much discussion it was agreed to refer all differences, of the points in controversy, to four delegates, two to be chosen from each side.

It is worthy of special remark that Stuyvesant's secretary was an Englishman, and he chose two Englishmen for his delegates.
In the award delivered by the arbitrators, it was decided that upon Long Island a line running from the westernmost part of Oyster Bay, in a straight direction to the sea, should be the bound between the English and the Dutch territory; the easterly part to belong to the English, the westernmost part to the Dutch.