I'm particularly interested in Dutch history, even though it wasn't an independent nation for much of its history under the Holy Roman Empire. I've particularly been interested in the Frisian Freedoms and Dutch revolts, the rise of Amsterdam as the "bookshop of Europe" and of course, the Dutch Republic of 1585-1795.
While British captured Nieuw Amstedam by 1664, its Dutch & Huguenot colonists didn't disappear when it became New York.
Many of their descendants fought in our Revolution, and some were delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
I see significant connections between an active history of electing judges, the "no nobles or serfs" ideals, religious freedom, freer press-- and the Bill of Rights, which the New York colonists wanted as a condition of ratifying the Constitution.
But I don't know where to find reliable resources for such details, or even how to find historical proof that the Dutch experience played a role in the discussion on liberty and forming our country.
I'm hoping somebody here has studied the issue and can help me out! Or better yet, do a great answer in detail!
You're definitely hitting on a theme that's present in a lot of writing about New Netherland and New Amsterdam. The form of the original Dutch municipal charter for New Amsterdam was largely kept in tact as control passed to the English, as were the rights it afforded certain people to vote and engage in business. That, combined with Dutch religious tolerance made New York City a unique place in the colonial period. New York's Jewish residents, for example, were allowed to conduct business with relatively little interference for decades before they would be afforded similar rights in England.
I'm not sure I can provide a fully detailed answer but can point to a few reading recommendations that all touch on similar points about Dutch influence on New York.
This topic is central to Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto (2004). This is very readable and aimed at a public audience. Although IMO it sometimes overreaches for narrative sake, it's probably a good place to start.
Shorto provides a lot of context about Dutch law and how it influenced early colonists. Much of the book centers on New Amsterdam lawyer Andrian van der Donck and his appeal to Dutch authorities for greater rights. Shorto also points to the Dutch origins of the Flushing Remonstrance, a document demanding religious tolerance from the New Netherland government that is often seen as a precursor document to the US Constitution and the First Amendment. Although written by English settlers, it appeals to rights found in the Dutch constitution.
For a more academic but still very readable overview, see chapters 2-5 of Gotham by Edwin G. Burrows and Mike Wallace (1998). In particular this covers in detail the transition into English rule and makes clear how New York was on a different path than other colonial cities from the start.
For an economic overview that highlights the importance of the city's founding as a trading outpost, rather than a religious colony, see Holland on the Hudson by Oliver Rink (1989).
Each of these have endnotes and pretty extensive bibliographies (although only Rink has in-line references) if you're looking for more resources.