Within a month he announced to the home government that the population of New Sweden had risen to three hundred and sixty-eight.

"I hope," he added, "we may be able to preserve them in order and in duty, and to constrain them if necessary.

I will do in this respect, all that depends upon me.

We will also endeavor to shut up the river." Governor Stuyvesant was very indignant, in view of what he deemed the pusillanimous conduct of Bikker in "this dishonorable surrender of the fort." It was in vain for him to attempt its recovery.

But with an eagle eye and an agitated mind he watched for an opportunity to retaliate.
About the middle of September, a Swedish ship, the Golden Shark, bound for the Delaware river, under command of Captain Elswyck, entered Sandy Hook and anchored behind Staten Island.