Document: Letter from William Beeckman to director Stuyvesant

Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lords:

My Lords, your two letters, one of 5 June by way of an Indian and the other of 8 June by way of Jan de Kaper, have been received. This serves as a quick reply since the bearer has informed me that he will leave tomorrow morning without fail. I send herewith according to your order the accounts of the discharged persons as well as a list of the remaining servants of the Company at this place. Jan Peters van Amsterdam is also coming to your place; the other four discharged men respectfully request that their outstanding wages together with accounts and passports be sent here as soon as possible.

Concerning the matter of the English and the Indians, I shall act according to your orders.

On the east side of this river there are four Englishmen among the Mantaes Indians. According to the Indians, the English arrived in a small boat near Cape May three months ago. They are probably runaways from Virginia because they want to remain there, so the Indians say.

The Minquas and Sinnecus are at war. The English in Maryland have assisted the Minquas with 50 men in their fort.

In closing, after wishing you a long life and prosperity, I commend you to God's protection, remaining forever,