Document: Letter from magistrates to director Stuyvesant

[several lines lost] After necessary [ ] the obligatory sworn duty to inform the lord director [ ] and especially as the hawking of beer and wine to the wilden against [ ] in the colony is practiced more and more, by which nothing more than the ruination of this land can be expected, unless the situation is improved, and there is so little respect for us here presently and we have also no opportunity to apprehend or place anyone in confinement, although we (according to our ability) do our best to keep informed thereof, as your honor can see in these accompanying depositions; and also here Willem Albertsen alias de malle boer was fatally injured (as a result of such hawking undertaken on his own).

Therefore, we pray, ask, and hope that your honor will be pleased to come here and to put everything in order and provide us with an intelligent commies or commander. Because of the paucity of time, we conclude by commending your honor and family to the protection of the Almighty, whom we pray will be pleased to grant your honor long lasting health and prosperity in your administration unto salvation, amen; and remain your honor’s dutiful and loyal servants (was signed:) Rutgher Jacobsz, Andries Herberts, Jacob Jansen Schermerhoorn (in the margin was written:) In Beverwijck this 14th of August 1656. This enclosed French letter was sent here from the Sinnekeckes’ country by the French who are living there with 60 [ people ].