A bitter altercation, between the representatives of the other colonies and the General Court, was terminated by an ambiguous concession which nevertheless averted hostilities.
"The Connecticut governments seemed animated by the most vindictive feelings; and their own recent historian laments the refusal of the Massachusetts authorities to bear part in an offensive war against New Netherland, as an 'indelible stain upon their honor as men, and upon their morals as Christians.'" There was a strong party in favor of war as the only means of wresting the magnificent domain of New Netherland from the Dutch and annexing it to the New England possessions.

The majestic Hudson was greatly coveted, as it opened to commerce vast and unknown regions of the interior.
Hartford and New Haven discussed the question if they were not strong enough without the aid of Massachusetts to subdue the Dutch.

Stamford and Fairfield commenced raising volunteers on their own account, and appointed one Ludlow as their leader.

A petition was sent to the home government, the Commonwealth over which Oliver Cromwell was then presiding, praying "that the Dutch be either removed or, so far, at least, subjected that the colonies may be free from injurious affronts and secured against the dangers and mischievous effects which daily grow upon them by their plotting with the Indians and furnishing them with arms against the English." In conclusion they entreated that two or three frigates be sent out, and that Massachusetts be commanded to assist the other colonies to clear the coast "of a nation with which the English cannot either mingle or set under their government, nor so much as live near without danger of their lives and all their comforts in this world." To fan this rising flame of animosity against the Dutch, a rancorous pamphlet was published in London, entitled, "The second part of the Amboyna Tragedy; or a faithful account of a bloody, treacherous and cruel plot of the Dutch in America, purporting the total ruin and murder of all the English colonists in New England; extracted from the various letters lately written from New England to different merchants in London." This was indeed an inflammatory pamphlet.

The most violent language was used.