responsibility for the decision. In August 1641, he summoned twelve prominent settlers to New Amsterdam to advise him on relations with the Indians. He posed three questions: Whether it is not just to punish the barbarous murder of Claes Swits committed by an Indian and, in case the Indians refuse to surrender the murderer at our request, whether it is not justifiable to ruin the entire village to which he belongs? In what manner the same ought be put into effect and at what time? By whom it may be undertaken? The twelve council members were: David Pietersen de Vries (chairman) Maryn Adriansen Jacques Benteyn, (schout) Jan Jansen Damen Gerrit Dircksen Hendrik Jansen Jochem Pietersen Kuyter Frederick Lubbertsen Abram Molenaar, also known as Abraham Pietersen van Deusen Joris Jansen Rapelje Jacob Stoffelsen Abraham Isaacsen Verplanck They did not counsel war, as desired by Willem Kieft, but recommended patience and negotiations to resolve differences with the tribes. They then requested that four of their number be elected to the Director-General's Council. Kieft was not pleased with the advice received. After months of haggling, in January 1642, Kieft told them that he would accept their request if they, in turn, would support his proposed war. The Council reluctantly agreed. Krieft dissolved the Council of Twelve in February 1643 and forbade them to meet without his permission. His duplicity did nothing to reduce opposition to the war. Not all of the Twelve opposed Kieft's plan. A group of Tappan had moved to Pavonia, while a second group from east of the Hudson were at Corlears Hook. Both were seeking refuge from attacks of the Mohawk to the north. On February 24, 1643, Maryn Adriansen, Jan Jansen Damen, and Damen's step-sons-in-law Abraham Isaacsen Verplanck and Cornelis Van Tienhoven, petitioned the Director to order an immediate attack upon the two groups of refugees. Kieft readily endorsed their request. He ordered Van Tienhoven to lead the soldiers stationed at Fort Amsterdam on a raid on those sheltering at Pavonia. It took place the following night and eighty Tappan were killed. Kieft ordered Maryn Adriaensen and a band of volunteers to go to Corlear's Hook to attack the refugees there. Forty Indian men, women and children were killed there. This served to unite the various tribes against the Dutch and war broke out. The majority of the Twelve Men, most of whom who had not known of