Four English frigates of a naval squadron commanded by Colonel Richard Nicolls, in a surprise incursion when England and the Dutch Republic are at peace, had sailed into New Amsterdam's harbor on August 27, 1664 and demanded New Netherlands’ surrender.

The British encounter little resistance, perhaps due to the unpopularity of director-general Peter Stuyvesant, whereupon the Dutch colony is provisionally ceded to English control on September 8.

This action will spark the Second Anglo-Dutch War between England and the Dutch Republic.

Under authority of a commission from the Duke of York, (later King James), who had ordered the expedition, Nicolls assumes the position of deputy-governor of New Netherland (New York).

His policy is vigorous but tactful, and the transition to the new regime is made smoothly and with due regard to the interests of the conquered people.

They are guaranteed in the possession of their property rights, their laws of inheritance, and the enjoyment of religious freedom.

The English system of law and administration is at once introduced into Long Island, Staten Island and Westchester, where the English element already predominates, but the change will be made much more slowly in the Dutch sections.