When the Lutherans informed him that the Directors of the Company had ordered that the same toleration should exist in New Netherland which was practiced in the fatherland, he firmly replied that he must wait for further explanations, and that in the mean time his ordinance against public conventicles must be executed.
At Flushing a cobbler from Rhode Island, a baptist, William Wickendam by name, ventured to preach, "and even went with the people into the river and dipped them." He was fined one thousand pounds and ordered to be banished.

As he was a poor man the debt was remitted, but he was obliged to leave the province.
It will be remembered that thus far nearly all the operations of the Dutch, in the New World, had been performed under the authority of Dutch merchants, called "The West India Company." Their chartered powers were very great.

Only in a subordinate degree were they subject to the control of the States-General.
At this time there was a very cruel persecution commenced by the Duke of Savoy against the Waldenses.

Hundreds of them fled to the city of Amsterdam, in Holland, which was then the refuge for the persecuted of all nations.

They were received with the most noble hospitality.