Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise and Prudent Lord:
Your letter of 30 [ December ] came to me by way of an Indian. Nothing to the contrary, I heard with pleasure of your good health. Since my last letter, Peter Alrichs has come overland from the Hoerekil to New Amstel. He could learn nothing certain about the stranded barks or people; also, nothing further has been learned from these Indians about the rumors that someone has been stranded near the Barnegat.
The bearer of your letter reported that a certain Indian who had been dispatched to you on 25 December was still at Passajongh and not inclined to continue his journey at the present time. Therefore, I decided to send back the aforesaid [ Indian ] immediately; and while passing through, he is to demand the other letters and bring them along as well. The contents of my last letter is this: Mr. d'Hinojosse has received instructions from
Messrs. Borgh and Crato concerning Maryland by way of Jacop Claessen, alias "My Friend", dated 27 August, stating that the city of Amsterdam is keeping its colony here, and has appointed Mr. d'Hinoyosse as director and Crato and van Sweringen as councillors; and that he was to expect his commission by way of Manhattan with the ship, de Liefde, which was being loaded, and according to Crato's letter to his superior, would go to sea in 14 days.
D'Hinojosse has become quite arrogant again. He wants to have all the effects of the late Mr. Alrichs back in his hands; he is beginning to turn everything upside down once more. Ten or twelve days ago he deported the secretary, van Nes, because he did not keep the records according to his wishes (so they say); also, because he had given the people some information against his person. He also informed various people that if they again said anything bad about "his majesty" at Foppe Janssen's or elsewhere in [ a tavern ] that he would fine them heavily; and he summoned Foppe to a council meeting and advised him that if anything bad was said about the [ "little prince? ], he should warn the people [ ] because he would not allow himself to be belittled [ ] in this manner; indeed, not even by them at Manhattan with their orders (as the farmers say). He was supposed to have said this several times.
About 14 days ago, the grave of a certain Hoppemink Indian chief, who had recently been buried almost opposite Capt. Crieger's house, was robbed. They took some sewant, three or four coats of duffel and whatever was [ buried ] with him. As a result the Indians have become restless and perhaps may attempt something bad against the people at New Amstel, as Andries Hudden and others have reported to me.
In closing, I wish to commend you to God's protection, and remain, after wishes for a long life and a prosperous administration,
Your most devoted and faithful servant,Willem Beeckman
Altena,14 January 1661
[ P.S.: ] [ Yesterday ] God [ increased ] our family by a son. [ I wish ] I had the opportunity to let him enjoy a Christian [ baptism ]. Adieu.
[ Addressed: ] Noble, Honorable, most Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord. My Lord Petrus Stuyvesant, Director- General of New Netherland, Cura?ao etc. together with the Council residing in Fort Amsterdam on Manhattan.
By an Indian.
