128 DUTCH AND ENGLISH ON THE HUDSON

will never permit, as we also believe Her Swedish
Majesty hath not empowered thee to erect fortifications
on our coasts and rivers, or to settle people on the lands
adjoining or to undertake any other thing to our
prejudice; now therefore we protest against all such
encroachments and all the evil consequences from the
same, as bloodshed, sedition and whatever injury our
trading company may suffer, and declare that we shall
protect our rights in every manner that may be advis-
able.

This blustering protest Minuit treated with con-
tempt and continued building his fort. The Swed-
ish colony soon grew so rapidly as to be a serious
menace to the Dutch in spite of their stronger
fortifications.

In 1642 Johan Printz, a lieutenant-colonel of
cavalry, was sent over as Governor of New Sweden
with instructions to maintain friendly relations
with the Dutch, but to yield no foot of ground.
He established several other settlements on the
South or Delaware River. So tactlessly, however,
did he perform his duties, that conflicts with the
Dutch grew more and more frequent. He built
two forts on opposite sides of the river and ordered
that every ship entering the waters should strike
her colors and await permission to pass. The first
vessel on which the new orders were tried carried