At a time when the entire force of Dutch clergy in the colony numbered only four, they were most unapostolically zealous to prevent any good from being done by "unauthorized conventicles and the preaching of unqualified persons," and procured the passing of an ordinance forbidding these under penalty of fine and imprisonment.

The mild remonstrances of the Company, which was eager to get settlers without nice inquiries as to their religious opinions, had little effect to restrain the enterprising orthodoxy of Peter Stuyvesant.

The activity of the Quakers among the Long Island towns stirred him to new energy.

Not only visiting missionaries, but quiet dwellers at home, were subjected to severe and ignominious punishments.

The persecution was kept up until one of the banished Friends, John Bowne, reached Amsterdam and laid the case before the Company.