Noble, Honorable, most Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord:
My Lord, I hope that my last letter of the 17th of this month by the Minquaes chief has arrived safely.[1] The aforesaid sachem has said at the house of Couturie and others that if you cannot come to an agreement with the Esopus Indians, then he would assist them.
When Captain Jacop arrived I was at Foppe Janssen's house in the company of d'Hinojosse, Messrs. Evert and Kip. Among other matters they proposed to Mr. d'Hinojosse that it was necessary for him to order a court session because they had several people to summon. Also, Dr. Evert reiterated that administrators had to be placed over the affairs of De Jager. D'Hinoyosse replied that he intended to do nothing more, since it was inconvenient for him to .send someone every week to Manhattan in order to defend judgments, and that the General was usurping his authority. Therefore, I calmly reminded him of his duty. We came into further discussion about the strong drink, of which a large quantity had arrived with this yacht, whereupon I repeated that he must pay attention to his duty. He replied again, "I am letting the fish take bait; the General does not acknowledge me as the head of this place, but addresses me condescendingly as 'My Dear Beloved Lieutenant' and so forth, whereby I intend to defend myself sufficiently if anything should happen to us."
My Lord. In the meantime, I cannot omit to inform you that I see many drunken Indians daily and I am told that in some taverns they sit drinking in public. On the 24th of this month, when I went with Captain Jacop and Mr. Schreck to Foppe Janssen's house to welcome Mr. Rendel Revel, who was coming overland from Virginia, some drunken Indians appeared before the windows, which was a disgrace in the presence of strangers. On the same day two of our soldiers and others told me that the Indians had a full ancker of anise on the beach near the church, and were sitting there drinking it. Also, on the same day a complaint was made to me by a certain Gerrit de Smidt who lives on the street furthest back at the edge of the woods. He says that he has considerable trouble from drunken Indians every evening. He has informed Mr. d'Hinojosse about it several times but has received no assistance. He says that it will be necessary to abandon his house.
The aforesaid Mr. Revel says that he has come here with the knowledge of the governor of Maryland to inquire in New Amstel or the South River whether we have need of any provisions and that they would supply them as required.
Pursuant to your order, the possessions of the late Mr. Alrichs have been inventoried, packed up and shipped. D'Hinojosse was present about half a day. After absenting himself, he went around mumbling and grumbling on the third or fourth day, accusing us of having inventoried the City's property, which in fact consisted of an empty chest and an old wine case. I then replied that he should have remained present to instruct us, because the City's stockings, shoes and other items lay strewn all over the room so that we constantly had to walk over them. He further stated that the City would view it most unfavorably that their council chamber had been so despoiled of chairs, books, paintings and other items; that you would have much to answer for concerning this matter; and that the heirs should be the masters over the effects for the City, which has such a great interest in Alrichs; and many more similar remarks.
The schout, van Sweringen, arrived in New Amstel on the 26th. I asked for letters from you. He said that he had given you no notice of his departure but had given security for himself. He said further that he would not go to Holland; therefore, he requested permission to rent our house which I had intended to keep on the Company's account because I need to have a house or room below. I have given notice on the house which I had from d'Hinojosse in the preceding year; the rent of f155 has been paid. I request that you forward it since I am quite destitute. Also, please send some sewant for the men in order to cover any sickness and other emergencies, and some meat and bacon for the garrison.
The sergeant, Jacob van der Veer, requests permission sometime for a round trip to Manhattan. I would have mentioned this in my previous letter but I have been clearing up urgent matters left undone because of falling sick at my departure.
Yesterday Mr. d'Hinojosse appointed Hendrick Kip, Jacop Crabbe and Baes Joosten as commissioners, and it was resolved by the commonalty of New Amstel to send a remonstrance to the patroons for the promotion of the colony.
The widow of a certain Harman Moorman is coming to Manhattan with her sister. They would like to go to the fatherland and have spoken to me several times to write to you about it. Therefore, I request that you be pleased to permit them to depart for the fatherland. They leave here a tolerably good house and diverse lots to cover their debts to the City.
Your order concerning the Swedes will be observed in all respects. I hereby commend you and your dear family to God's protection, with wishes for a long life and a prosperous administration; I remain, after cordial greetings,
Willem Beeckman
Petrus Stuyvesant
