S.[1] Honorable, Esteemed, Wise and most Prudent Lords:
My Lords, whereas the honorable directors [ of the ] Chartered West India Company did grant and agree that the honorable and most esteemed mayors of the [ City ] of Amsterdam would be permitted to establish a colony [ on the South ] River in New Netherland, whereupon the aforesaid mayors did draw up and present certain conditions to [ all ] those who desire to [ go ] there as colonists, as may [ be seen ] from the copy sent herewith,[2] according to which conditions various persons requested permission to go there who accordingly were embarked at the expense of the aforesaid City in several ships, to wit: in the ship Prins Maurits, about 112 persons besides 16 crew members, both officers and sailors; another 33 persons in the ship de Bever; 11 in de Beer; and 11 in de Gelderse Blom. There are altogether 167 persons who would settle on the aforesaid South River; and that I, the underwritten, who shall have the direction [ over the ] colony on behalf of the aforesaid City, was to proceed with the aforesaid ship, [ Prins ] Maurits, to the island of Manhattan [ with ] letters, instructions,
and directions for [ your honors ],,,
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...whereupon I embarked together with 128 people on the ship, P Prins Maurits, and had hoped and desired to be able to reach Manhattan; however, we ran aground at a certain place opposite Long Island near a river which is called by the Indians or the bearer of this, Sickawach.[3] The people have been saved and we hope to get most of the goods ashore, if it pleases our Lord God, for which everything is being done daily to prevent further damage despite the great difficulities, hardships and labor in severe cold and frost. In the meantime, I am greatly apprehensive together with the aforesaid persons, among whom there are also about 80 soldiers under Captain Marten Kryger and Lieutenant D'Hinosa and the other free people here. I wish from the bottom of my heart to be able to receive the means or actual help and assistance in order to carry out the plan and undertaking of the honorable directors and as well as the most esteemed mayors; but since the ship. Prins Maurits, is stranded and appears as if it is in its graveyard, I am, therefore, obliged to request [ your honor's good advice and help ] in this matter...
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...unless you were [ acquainted ] with [ this ] situation and could [ inform ] me what in your judgment is best and most advisable to do in this matter. Since time is running short to to into further details, I am obliged to close with the request that the people who have arrived or are arriving there with the Bever, Beer and Gelderse Blom, please be accomodated for the time being in the most suitable way possible at the expense of the City of Amsterdam, and be provided for as best as possible. In the meantime, I await an answer and a small vessel with a pilot and three or four seamen who are acquainted with this place or well- experienced here in order to see what still can be saved and salvaged. In closing I pray, after hearty greetings and dutiful respects, that God may keep you in continuous health and prosperity. I remain
[ Addressed: ]
Honorable, Esteemed, Wise and most Prudent Lords, the Lord Director-General and Council in New Netherland at Manhattan
By two Indians.
J. Alrichs
