Holland sent colonists to America to settle the land discovered by Henry Hudson. The colony was called New Netherland.

New Netherland was a rich colony. In 1664 Holland and England were at war. The English sent ships to New Netherland and wanted to take over the colony.

The captain of the English ships sent a letter to Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of New Netherland. He told Stuyvesant he must surrender.