Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 28 September 1647

[1]Propositions submitted by the honorable director general to the council in session, the 28th of September A°, 1647.

The day before yesterday I was informed by Mr. Harck, sheriff of Vlissingen,[2] that a certain Scotchman named Forrester had come there to Vlissingen with commission to take possession as governor of Long Island and of all the islands situated within five miles thereabouts; that said Forrester had spent two nights at Heemsteede and one night at Vlissingen with our vassals and subjects there and had exhibited to them his commission. He came here on his way to Gravesande and Amersfoort, there to exhibit his commission to the English residing under our allegiance and government. As nothing is to be expected from this but mischief and further encroachment on the Company’s lands granted them by charter from their High Mightinesses, our Sovereigns, we have requested the said governor to show his commission and instructions and asked him by what authority he came within our limits. To which he gave for answer that he came here to demand my commission and authority. Wherefore I had him taken into custody and on the next day placed under arrest at the City Tavern at the Company's expense, and having demanded his commission found one with an old seal depending, but not signed with any name and, besides, a power of attorney signed by Marry Sterlingx, accompanied by a pass from Parliament, and nothing more.

The further question is, What shall be done with said pretended governor?

Thirdly, that the commissioners be pleased to make a final disposition of the criminals in prison, particularly Picquet.

[3] Fourthly, as Commissary Hudde has returned in consequence of contrary winds and weather and in his absence was accused by Mr. Dincklagen of unfaithfulness toward the Company and his own cousin, this, being proved, unfits him in my opinion for the charge on the South river. Meanwhile, I ask of the council a proper certificate that, according to my bounden duty, I first, on the 20th instant, on the regular court day, proposed to the council whether Commissary Hudde should be sent again to the South river, or whether another should be sent in his place. Nothing was then alleged against his person; he was therefore continued by a unanimous vote of all the members of the council. Neither was anything said against him at the following meeting, being the 26th, when the previous resolution was to be reconsidered and signed. Was signed: P. Stuyvesandt.