Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise, Prudent, and very Discreet Lords:
On the 11th of this month our men returned who had taken the discharged persons in a canoe to Meggeckesjou. They reported that the schout, van Sweringen, and seven men in a sailboat overtook them while going upriver, about three miles below Meggeckesjou. While waiting there for the tide, the schout yelled over to them that they should put the runaway woman aboard his boat. Our men yelled back, "If you want her you can come and get her! Here she is in the canoe." After refusing to do this, the schout ordered his men to get their weapons ready. When our men heard this and saw them get ready, they did the same. Immediately upon their return, I sailed upriver and met the schout on the river near Verdrietige Hoeck. I protested again at his usupation of the Company's authority by coming armed into our district without our knowledge in order to assault someone; saying in addition, that if I had met him on land, I would have placed him under arrest. To this he replied, "If you were stronger with respect to weapons!" I responded, "I am speaking about the authority of the Company. If you intend to use your weapons, then we'll resist with weapons." Then he said that when he left New Amstel he had had no time to inform me. Whereupon I replied that I could have been informed the other day when I was in New Amstel in order to avoid any bad feelings.
A certain Claes Verbraeck, who refused to take part in the aforesaid exploit, has been consequently discharged and requests [ permission ] to return to the Company's district. I hear nothing of him but good conduct. He was here four years ago as supercargo aboard the ship, de Son. This same Verbraeck has heard Mr. d'Hinojosse and van Sweeringen, at various times in conversation, threaten to privateer and other things.
About 16 or 18 families living in our district, mostly Finns, are being heavily pressured by Mr. d'Hinojosse to move into the colony. They are to have freedom from taxes for 18 years, and to have their own magistrates for suits up to flOO, as well as the freedom to practice their own religion. The aforesaid families intend to keep their land in our district and plant grain until they have cleared land in the colony. In my opinion, we shall be allowed to lay claim to the abandoned land, and if this is possible, to settle Dutch farmers on it.
My Lord, while writing this I received the enclosed note from Mr. d'Hinojosse.[1] It so happened that on Sunday afternoon I approved the request of five people to go to and return from New Amstel because they had some things to deliver before the yachts departed. When I went there the following day and found them still there, I ordered them twice to return to their garrison at Altena. They all promised to do this, nevertheless, they stayed. While the men were sitting at the table that evening, a certain Elias Routs attacked the schout, van Sweringen, near his house; and according to the schout, pushed him with his sword but caused no injury. After eating, three men went out, telling the innkeeper's wife that they were going for a walk because they didn't feel like drinking anymore. With everyone singing, they came to the house of Schout van Sweringen where everything happened, much to our regret, as can be seen in the accompanying testimony.[2] A certain Domenicus Sybrants was also there waiting for the departure of the yachts.
Elias Routs is still a fugitive. If I can apprehend him, I shall send him to you, because keeping him here would only cause more trouble.
Yesterday I was summoned by Mr. d'Hinojosse to a meeting. There I heard that some testimony had been taken, but I heard little justification of the schout concerning the shooting. The principal [ testimony ] depends on the court-messenger. He is a young boy who rooms and boards with the schout. Secondly, the testimony concerning the first attack [ stating ] that two swords had been seen, is not plausible; partly because it is the declaration of the schout's boy, and partly becuase the testimony of Hendrick Dyck (who was also near Elias Routs, but unarmed, so he says) contradicts it.
I shall send you details of what has transpired at Mr. d'Hinojosse's meeting as soon as possible.
Upon closing this I have been informed that the patient has died.
I must be brief because Peter Lourens is anxious to depart.
Whereby I commend you to God's protection and remain, after greetings and wishes for a long life and prosperous administration,
Your ever devoted and faithful servant,Willem Beecqman
In haste,Altena, 21 June 1662.
My Lords, when I arrived at New Amstel, Mr. Factoor, the bearer of this, informed me that Schout van Sweringen said in his presence, "I shot the man unintentionally." The community shouted out unanimously, "Seize the murderer and send him to the general and council!" Nevertheless, I thought it better to await your orders. Whereby I commend you to God's protection and remain forever,
Your devoted servant and trusted friend,Willem Beeckman
New Amstel,21 June 1662.
