Noble, Honorable, most Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord:
I hope for your good disposition and condition. My Lord, on the 3rd of this month Mr. Alrichs asked me and our sergeant to attend a court-martial because he felt very weak and because the lieutenant and sergeant were plaintiffs. After taking my place with Mr. Alrichs, Mr. Jaquet, Mr. Crato, our sergeant and Corporal Marten Cleynsmidt, Mr. Hinoyosse presented the complaint that a certain Samuel, also a corporal, being very drunk did not obey his command to submit to arrest for having beaten his wife, whereupon the lieutenant struck him with his cane; however, when Samuel grabbed the cane from his hand, the lieutenant drew his sword and struck him with the flat side; driving him into the guardhouse with the help of the sergeant. The lieutenant states that during this time he used much abusive language against him. After this complaint was presented, it was affirmed by oath without it being requested. The schout, van Swieringen confirmed the lieutenant's statement, differing only over the expression: "The devil take him who locks me up." D'jnyosse states that he said "Then take him who has me locked up." Then the schout also swore an oath without it being requested or ordered, whereupon he made the demand that he be shot. Mr. Alrichs ordered that the prisoner post security. In the meantime, I asked whether there were any witnesses in this case. The interrogatories of four persons were exhibited who had first taken an oath before they were questioned. Their declarations tended to be strangely immaterial, stating only that he was not willing to go into confinement and that he had firmly held the cane. When the prisoner was brought in, the secretary informed him of the charges and the schout's judgment. They were not read aloud as written. Thereupon he answered, "I drank no liquor after our departure for the Hoerekil, but now, regretfully, it has been most excessive; I know nothing about it; I beg for a merciful punishment, if I have done anything wrong." After he was again taken out, I asked whether he had frequently resisted any officers. Mr. Alrichs said, no; stating further that felons must be punished, alleging three points from the above stated accusation which warranted the death penalty. He reminded us of God's law, then proposed that we take an oath to do strict justice, turning in my direction with raised fingers. I replied that he was not authorized to reaffirm the oath made to the honorable director-general. If I was not trusted, then he could take action on it without me. Then I got up and left for Altena. Yesterday evening the prisoner's wife came to me and said that last Wednesday or the 5th of this month her husband had been condemned to six months' banishment from the colony, but was still being kept in irons; and that now another decision had been made that would send him with three men to the Hoerekil, about which he was very displeased.
Mr. Alrichs and his council have asked me twice whether I did not have orders to come to their assistance upon request with our whole garrison whenever necessity demanded it. I answered, "no, only with ten or twelve men." I shall await your order concerning this.
I presently have five sick.
I fear that the baker will not make it through.
Upon returning to Altena with our sergeant from the aforesaid court-martial, I found most of the soldiers drunk. I was told that Jan Becker has frequently offered the men brandy on credit, which I have forbidden. Yesterday, one hour into evening, Jan Juerians' neighbors came to complain of the violence of drunken Indians. I sent the sergeant there with three men. He found six [ Indians ] totally drunk near Jan Juyrians' house. They resisted so that they could not be brought to the guardhouse, running finally into the woods. They came back quietly to the houses about an hour later, stealing two blankets from Sander Boyer's bed and a musket belonging to the Company, which I shall try to recover. There are no Swedes here presently who have brandy so that it must certainly be Jan Juyriaens' liquor by which the Indians become so aggressive.
One-third or seven persons of our garrison living outside the fort are married.
My Lord, I must close, referring further to my last letter sent with the commissioners. I commend you herewith to God's protection; remaining, after cordial greetings and wishes for a happy, blessed new year, continual health and a prosperous administration. Noble, Honorable and highly Esteemed Lord,
Willem Beecqman
