Noble, Honorable, most Esteemed, Valiant, Wise and very Prudent Lord:
My Lord, my last letter to you was by the Maquaes Indians on the 29th of April.[1] On the same date we gave notice of the transmitted order; and Mr. van Sweringen was commissioned to justify the sentence, for which they have copies which cannot be retracted (so they say).
Mr. d'Hinojosse cannot resolve to place the goods of the deceased Mr. Alrichs in the hands of Mr. van Gezel, but offers them to Captain Krieger or me, provided we submit a receipt. He also requests that we interpret your letter, i.e., whether it was your intention that he should turn over the aforesaid goods without security, since van Gezel claims that he offered security, which he refused, is sufficient. If we were to express such a claim in writing that this was your intention, then he would turn over the goods (from which we excused ourselves). We finally proposed to him that since he would not entrust the goods to van Gezel that he allow them to be inventoried in the presence of two trusted men and heirs, and to consign them to you; and that van Gezel would post security with you for the administration. He said that he would be inclined to do this, if someone would be security with you for the administration. He said that he would be inclined to do this, if someone would be security for the risk of the sea. Van Gezel then offered that within eight days after his arrival at Manhattan he would satisfy this by putting up a sufficient number of men because he could obtain no security here. This he rejected so that the matter could not be concluded.
Concerning the sentence of the murderers, he says that you can have them arrested again and punished according to your pleasure; he intends to justify his sentence before his superiors.
Concerning the matter with Henry Coursy, he says that he was unable to act otherwise.
I have heard nothing further from Coursy since his departure. I suspect that something will be sent to you by Mr. Heermans who was with him at Pattocxen.
Rumors have been circulating here that the City's colony was supposed to have been conveyed back to the Company last October. Therefore, Mr. d'Hinojosse says that he is preparing himself to convey everything to you at the first opportunity so that he can depart with the first ship to the fatherland in order to reclaim his expenditures here for construction and clearing which was ordered by the lords at Amsterdam. If denied, he threatens to take them before the States-General. It is also said that he is instigating the colonists to petition for their claims of expenses sustained here because the lords are not keeping their word or contract and are abandoning the colonists so suddenly.
I have also heard from his own mouth that no soldiers will remain in the service of the Company but will all return with him to the fatherland; apparently through his instigation.
The other day after the arrival of Captain Crieger, he [ d'Hinojosse ] sent a soldier[2] after Crato. If he does not find him in Maryland, he is to follow him to the fatherland because Crato, who had already been gone ten days, had forgotten his instructions - so he says. Three or four days later, there were rumors that he himself had gone off during the night; however, no preparations could be seen. Nevertheless, we shall constantly keep our eyes open.
I learned from Captain Crieger that you are expecting three or four domines from the fatherland. I pray that you might send one of them to us here on the river for the instruction of the Christian community so that it might give cause for increased growth and population.
Andries Hudden says that he intends to visit you at Manhattan. Captain Krieger and I have encouraged him to do this, without letting him know that you are aware of his intention to go to Maryland.
Last week at Tinneco I expressed your dissatisfaction to the schout and some of the magistrates that they had discouraged and hindered the people who were inclined to go to Esopus, and had frustrated the sergeant in this matter. They vigorously denied it.
I have ordered them to make inquiries and transmit to me by list the number of families which intend to settle at Passajonck in order to consider (before any pains are taken or expenses incurred for the purchase of land) whether a suitable village can be laid out; all the more, since they are very changeable, and it has also been said that they are more inclined to go to Maryland than to move and crowd in with the others. Therefore, I have not yet announced the extension which you have granted until near winter or after the harvest, only ordering that they be ready and prepared to move closer together. The bearer of this, Andries Lourens, sergeant, will be able to inform you of everything.
Miss Prints requests that she be permitted to deliver here for her outstanding taxes: one fattened ox, some fattened pigs and bread-grain.
If you should decide that the horses, which in my opinion (with all due respect) are too light for our farmers, should be sold here, for which some are inclined, then they shall be provisionally offered for the coming year since we still have much use for them. I await your orders concerning this, or otherwise, so that winter fodder can be procured. Sergeant Andries Lourens fell sick on the 19th of this month and grows weaker every day. Therefore, he must remain here. This letter goes with Jan Pyl and Jan Tonissen who have been employed by the sergeant as soldiers; together with two soldiers, who accompanied the sergeant here, and a boy who was kidnapped in the woods by the Indians while going after the cows. When they arrived here, I held him against the will of the Indians, because it is said that the Indians recently sold two boys to the English. This boy had been ransomed two or three months ago by Mr. d'Hinojosse for a coat and a piece of duffels.
I hereby wish to commend you to God's protection, and remain, after wishes for a long life and a prosperous administration.
My Lord General. I came here yesterday because I expected the arrival of Jan de Caper, but he had not yet appeared.
Andries Hudden also accompanied me here from Altena in order to proceed to Manhattan. After waiting here a half day, he changed his mind; on the one hand complaining that he was too poor to travel and on the other hand that his hand that his attire was so wretched, and being without traveling money, he would be ashamed to appear before you. Finally, he decided to go with Captain Krieger. In my letter [3] I mentioned that a certain Jan Tonissen was coming. He is doing some work for Captain Krieger; therefore, he asked him that he be allowed to go at the next opportunity or with his yacht.
Yesterday two Mahikanders and two Esopus Indians were here at Captain Krieger's who have proceeded on to the Minquas country. Some say that they are assisting us, others say that they intend to request permission to live there with them of to hide out there.
[ Addressed: ] Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed,
Wise and Prudent Lord, My Lord Petrus Stuyvesant, Director-General of New Netherland, Curacao, etc. Residing in Amsterdam at Manhattan.
Willem Beeckman
Willem Beeckman
