The troubled times, as is ever the case, had called out swarms of pirates and robbers, who infested the shores of Long Island, inflicting the most cruel excesses upon the unprotected inhabitants.

The English residents in the Dutch colonies were numerous, and they were ripe for revolt.

The Dutch themselves were uttering loud murmurs.

The governor acted with his accustomed energy.
Several vessels were fitted out to act against the pirates.

Many of these pirates professed to be privateersmen, serving the Commonwealth of England.