Last Dutch Director-General of the colony of New Netherland (1612–1672) who was a major figure in the early history of New York City. Manuscript DS in Dutch, signed “P. Stuyvesant,” one page, 16.75 x 13, May 15, 1664. Document with an impressive calligraphic header, "Petrus Stuyvesant," issued at "Fort Amsterdam," confirming a grant of land to Hendrick Sweerse on Long Island. Prominently signed at the conclusion in ink by Peter Stuyvesant as Director-General of New Netherland. The embossed paper seal affixed at the lower left remains largely intact. In good to very good condition, with professional repairs to separations of the intersecting folds, areas of ink erosion, and dampstaining (touching the signature). A sought-after example of a rare colonial autograph.
The one-legged Stuyvesant, often referred to as either ‘Peg Leg Pete’ or ‘Old Silver Nails’ on account of his nail-studded prosthesis, served as the director-general of New Amsterdam for the final time in 1664. Situated within Fort Amsterdam on the southern tip of present-day Manhattan, Stuyvesant had run the Dutch colony for nearly 17 years, and achieved much in improving the economy and quelling Indian hostilities that threatened the growth of Dutch settlement. His charge came to end, however, when on August 27, 1664, four English frigates sailed into New Amsterdam’s harbor and demanded New Netherland’s surrender. Initially defiant, Stuyvesant soon yielded when his call-to-arms went unheeded, and he was forced to sign a treaty on September 9th, ceding the colony to the Duke of York.
Illustrated in The Western Pursuit of the American Dream: Selections from the Collection of Kenneth W. Rendell (p. 17, University of Oklahoma Press, 2005).
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