Noble, Honorable, most Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord:
My Lord, I hope that you are in good health. As for us, we thank God for his grace. Last week I was among the Swedes and Finns for several days. The separate settlements cannot protect one another easily. Those living near Kinsses[1] want to move to Aroenemeck where two or three families are now settled; conversely, those of Kinses object, preferring that they move to their place, which the schout and magistrates also urge. The other group states, as it is in fact the case, that Kinses is entirely indefensible, and that there is no escape from there because they have to pass through many thickets and narrow streams; on the other hand they have a large stream at Aroenemeck to escape by or receive assistance from. At Aroenemeck they would have their cultivated land on the other side of the stream[2] at Passayongh where there is enough cleared land and which for the most past was seeded last fall. Also, some of the magistrates, who live on good islands, claim that they ought to be favored by having the outlying people move to them. However, no one wishes to move or come to an accommodation; each one asserting the intention to keep his whole lot and cultivated land. Miss Printz complains that she cannot move on account of her large buildings, and because the church is located there. She offers her land free of rent, but I understand that no one yet has the inclination to go live at her place. After finally realizing that they could not agree among themselves, I ordered that I was to be informed by a list to be delivered to me within eight or ten days, stating where each one would be most inclined to resettle; and if they were consistent with the ordinance of your proclamation, then they would be approved, otherwise I would be compelled to order them where to resettle. They immediately requested, because they had no timely notification as at Manhattan, that they be allowed a somewhat longer time, since it would be to their great loss and the ruin of their crops for this spring, if they should have to break up by district, according to the proclamation. Therefore, I granted them an extension of five or six weeks, subject to your approval. Miss Printz and others also request assistance if the need arises. For this purpose I would require more soldiers here. We also lack a drummer as well as a new drum or drum-head and cords, for we have not been able to beat a drum in two month. Our flag is also in tatters. Andries Lourens was also above, trying to persuade some to enter the service or to relocate at the Esopus, for which they have no inclination whatsoever. It seems that the leaders of their nation admonish and urge them not to disperse themselves, but to remain hereabouts; as the schout and magistrates have obstructed those who desired to move to the colony of New Amstel. I reported this to you in my last letter.[3]
Gregorius van Dyck says that he has an order from you to recall the Swedes and Finns residing in the colony. Therefore, since my last letter, I have given them notice that they must remain temporarily until further orders from you. As a result they complained to Mr. d'Hinojosse, who sent me a letter about it, trusting that it had been done without my knowledge by the schout and magistrates. I replied that I had written you about it and awaited orders.
Michiel Karman does not know when his yacht will be ready. Therefore, I thought it best to dispatch this by an Indian. All the more, since Mr. Henry Coursey, merchant in Maryland, came here to Altena on the 2nd of this month with his two brothers and a Swede who resided in their district. The aforesaid Coursey complained that he had received no justice from Mr. d'Hinojosse concerning three of his servants who had run away from him about four weeks ago. They were employed by Mr. d'Hinojosse and sent to the Hoerekil. Mr. Coursey requests that justice might be obtained from him. As soon as I receive an answer from you, I shall send it to him by express, at his expense. He said that he was attending an assembly at Pottoxen when he received word that his people had run away. Among other things, it was resolved to dispatch someone here to extend to us the old neighborly friendship and harmony, and to discuss arrangements for establishing trade between us.
Mr. Coursey said that Mr. Heermans was in Maryland; therefore, he sent him one of his safe-conduct passes to see whether any of the fugitives might be found.
Mr. Coursey asked at his departure whether Andries Hudden was obligated to us and whether he would be freely allowed to go to Maryland, because Hudden had spoken to him about whether he might be employed by him and others as a brewer; saying that he knew this and that about making good beer, and that he would come in two or three weeks to inquire about finding accommodations.
Pieter Mayer does not desist from constantly pestering me to press you for the requested patent.
Dr. Tymen[4] has approached me several times himself or through others about entering the service here as the Company's surgeon. I have, from time to time, referred him to you. We certainly do need a surgeon here - subject to correction - for it has happened on several occasions that we urgently needed Dr. Willem, the City's barber, but because of some patients there he could not come here. When he did finally come, it was without the medicines required by the patients, thereby causing suffering to the sick.
While at Tinneco, Jacop Swens said that the Esopus Indians had sent presents and requested assistance; saying that they were 1800 strong and would march against you if anything was done against them.
As I was closing this letter, the magistrates of the Swedish nation came here to Altena to ask on behalf of all the separate communities that you be humbly petitioned to permit them to remain in possession until their grain is harvested. I understand that they then intend to establish a village at Passajongh and in the meantime will compensate the Indians for the land. This I opposed, saying that no land may be bought from the Indians except with your consent. They replied that they could acquire it from the Indians for a trifle. I answered again that they must wait for orders from the lord general. I shall then expect your orders and reply by bearer concerning this and my last one. In the meantime, I commend you to God's protection, praying that He keep you in constant health and grant you a prosperous administration, remaining,
[ P.S.: ] The Indian has been promised to receive two fathoms of sewant from you.
Noble, most Esteemed Lord:
My Lord, since Mr. Beeckman has asked me to dispatch this[5] to you, I have, therefore, hired this Indian, Sipaeele, who is to receive at Manhattan one piece of cloth and one pair of stockings.
[ Endorsement: ]
Entered in the book
26 April 1660.
I have learned with amazement that since my departure [ ] have dared to ask four guilders Holland money for a skipple of wheat, whereas I refused Piet [ Jongh ] a skipple of wheat for four guilders in beavers, as you well know in your heart [ ] you demanded of me but four guilders in beavers [ ] I agreed with you; but with respect to the bill of exchange, I did not get if from you, but since the opportunity presented itself, I drew it on the City. You said that you were satisfied with this. I was then, at your request, in an upper room with Miss Wessels, discussing the bill of exchange whereupon Allert Anthony came in; but you asked not to talk about it in his presence for certain reasons, but I was a little suspicious of your so-called reasons. At our request he left and we came to an agreement, as I have told you, which I gave to Mr. van Reuwen[6] ; it was 5 ? guilders Holland money for one beaver but Mr. van Reuven was afterwards upset about it. I finally agreed at 5 ? guilders Holland money. Then I reported to Mr. Alrichs that [ ] must have also 5 ? guilders for a beaver which was also agreed to by you...
[ Remaining ten lines lost. ]
...now and then, but I was a little suspicious. How was I to give you eight guilders Holland for a beaver when I had eight days previously contracted with Piet Jonge at a skipple of wheat for four guilders in beavers and not be able to make good on it because he wanted 5 ? Holland for a beaver? From this it appears clearly that I shall not give you eight guilders Holland in this country for a beaver, beyond any duty, freight and insurance, since a beaver in Holland is only worth five or six guilders. If I were a newcomer who didn't know better, it would have been otherwise; but after I made an agreement with Mr. van Reuven for the bill of exchange, as can be seen, at 5 ? guilders Holland, I was not able to agree with Piet Jongh, as has already been related here; because I only wanted to give him 5 ? guilders Holland for one beaver and he wanted 6 guilders or at least 5 ? guilders Holland. At the same time I also gave Joost de Backer a bill of exchange, but neither he, Joost, nor Mr. van Reuven nor Piet Jongh have demanded it of me. I am unaware that I should allow you it since you were much later the contractor; indeed, how could I give you 4 guilders if I bought it from Arent van Correlaer for 4 guilders in beavers. Therefore, it is a great imprudence of you to [ ] it much less demand it. I shall [ ] also close. Done in New Amstel [ ] 1659.
Willem Beeckman
A. Hudde
