Honorable, Esteemed, Wise, Prudent and very Discreet Lord:
My Lord, the Lord-Mayor Cruyger[1] has asked me to give you information regarding the patents and the circumstances involved therein; therefore, I have prepared this for the above purpose on your behalf.
So it happened, my Lord, that in the year 1648 Tomes Broen received a certificate of consent from the honorable director-general to settle at Mantaes Hoeck, a place about one half great mile below the abandoned Fort Nassouw. The aforesaid Tomes Broen communicated this certificate to Mr. Johan Prints, the former Swedish governor, and requested his assistance in constructing buildings and other things to which the aforesaid Mr. Prints consented; however, instead of assistance the aforesaid gentleman purchased Mantaes Hoeck and the adjacent lands, erecting a pole with the arms of the crown attached. Thus the aforesaid Broen was denied this place.
And, although the aforesaid Mr. Prints also attempted to purchase the lands on the east side about Fort Nassouw as far as Mecheckesiouw, for which he labored greatly among the Indians, he could not persuade them thereto. In the meantime we were warned by the same Indians of Mr. Prints's intentions and also by the freemen on the river who live under the authority of the Company. In addition, they also complained that since Johan Prints had acquired the entire west side, not a foot of land outside of a place of ours in the Schuylkil about 50 feet square could be cultivated, without being immediately destroyed by the Swedes, but only as much as the aforesaid gentleman tolerated according to his claims; and if Prints were also to purchase further land along the river on the east side, they in the Schuylkil would be forced to leave. As a result only the point where Fort Nassouw is located would be left which would be of no use and could not be occupied by any private persons; also, all barks or free traders coming from Manhattan would not be able to trade for one beaver from the Indians but would be required, if they wanted to travel the river, to trade with Mr. Prints. This beaver trade with the Indians presently amounts to 30, 40 or more thousands of beavers in one season. They would be compelled to leave the river and lose all their investments; and since the aforesaid Mr. Prints was pressuring the Indians heavily, they would not be able to resist him much longer, according to their repeated assertions. They protested that if we should have to leave the river, it would not be their fault because they were willing to sell the land above Fort Nassouw. Therefore, the freeman requested that since I realized that the matter could tolerate no delay because of the persistent urgings of the aforesaid Mr. Prints, I should resolve to buy the offered lands in order to prevent the troubles and damages which will arise from them. Since I found myself, powerless to do it through lack of means, they offered to advance the merchandise themselves and requested permission to buy the same, stating in a deposition dated 6 April 1649 that they would transport and convey to the Company the aforesaid lands in their entirety upon payment of the amount advanced by them, and that they should be given preference in choosing the lands to be inhabited by them and enjoy ownership by legal conveyances from the Company. Since I saw no other solution and since the matter could not be delayed, I was compelled to grant their proposal and request; and since they requested that I also make a contribution therein, I decided to join them because I could not see that it would be a detriment to the Company. The persons who brought the land on the above conditions and who appear in the patent are: Symen Roodt, Coornelis Mouritsen, Pieter Harmensz, Andries Hudde, Sander Boyer and Davit Davitsz; however, Coornelis Mouritsz transferred his claim to Harmen Jansz. The aforesaid persons, except for Andries Hudden and Davit Davitsz sailed up there at once and purchased the land on the east and west shore. Details of the purchase and the names of the areas appear in the patents and conveyance which were drawn up and are kept by the secretary of New Amsterdam, together with the names of the chiefs and sellers. I then immediately dispatched an express to inform his Honor of what had occurred. I sent you a copy of his Honor's reply dated 7 September 1661. Since the matter has remained the same without resolution, the aforesaid buyers have requested, and at various times implored, that the transfer be made for their own security. I have never been able to resolve this matter; but was of the opinion that the patents pertained to the whole, and that the amount which they advanced should be reimbursed at the first opportunity. Since they could not obtain the originals, they finally requested that they be permitted, each for their own part, to have a private deed drawn up which would be signed by the Indians. I replied that they could do as they saw fit, as long as the matter remained entirely according to the aforesaid condition, i.e., subordinated to the Company. It remained thus without incident until the year 1655, when by order of the director-general a special accounting of the purchase money was sent to Coornelis van Thienhooven (fiscal at that time). Whereupon it so happened, as I have communicated to others and to you in a letter dated 7 September 1661, to which I refer, that these copies of accounts were lost along with my other papers when the -Indians plundered and robbed me.
In the meantime I shall request, indeed, pray with all due reverence and humility, that I together with this matter be considered favorably. I hope that I shall be presented with the opportunity to repay you for the kindness which I have enjoyed from time to time; and if it pleases the Lord God to continue me in such a humble position until the end of my life, behold, here am I, let him do to me as he pleases.[2] I trust that his judgment of me shall be to my benefit, just as my impotence will not hinder me from constantly remembering with a grateful heart your kind deeds done on my behalf.
