Peter Stuyvesant Quotes

“I am sustained by the tranquility of an upright and loyal heart.”

“I shall govern you as a father his children.”

“I value the blood of one Christian more than that of a hundred Indians.”

“It is not the least anxiety that we have so little powder and lead on hand.”

“No person shall be allowed to do the ordinary and customary labors of his calling, such as sowing, mowing, building, sawing wood, smithing, bleeching, hunting, fishing, or any works allowable on other days, under the penalty of one Pound Flemish; Much less any idle or unallowed exercises and sports, such as drinking to excess, frequenting inns or taphouses, dancing, card-playing, tick-tacking, playing at ball, playing at bowls, playing at nine-pins, taking jaunts in boats, wagons, or carriages, before between, or during Divine Service.”

“Nothing is of greater importance than the right early instruction of youth.”

“Our little force will march on tomorrow or the day after.”

“The attack did not succeed as well as I had hoped, no small impediment having been the loss of my right leg.”

“The Jews who have arrived would nearly all like to remain here.”

“The people are grown very wild and loose in their morals.”

“We derive our authority from God and the West India Company, not from the pleasure of a few ignorant subjects.”

“We pray that the deceitful race – such hateful enemies and blasphemers of the name of Christ – be not allowed to further infect and trouble this new colony.”

“Your patience would fail you if I should continue to relate all the disrespectful speeches and treatment which your servants have been obliged to listen to and patiently to bear.”