Document: Letter from William Beeckman to secretary van Ruyven

Honorable, Esteemed, Wise, Prudent and very Discreet Lord:

Upon the departure of a certain Walroef Claerhout, I bought a piece of cloth from him for my family to be entered on my account for payment of duties, amounting to f63 beaver value; I request that you please agree to this.

I was told by Verbraeck yesterday that the Indian sent to your place by Mr. Hudde, before my arrival, had been sent off already before the yacht left; however, nothing has been heard from him yet. Therefore, I sent Mr. Hudde up to the place where he was hired in order to see whether he might be sick, because presently many Indians on the river are suffering from smallpox.

At the moment I have nothing in particular to write to the director-general and council.

Since my last letter with Jan de Caper, I have heard nothing more of the Sinnecus except that they have returned to their country.

Accompanying this letter are two persons who request their release; the rest want to be continued here for another year.

My Lord, our supply of bread grain for the garrison is very low; it will be another six or eight weeks before new grain can be obtained. Therefore, I humbly request that you send me some as soon as possible, together with a small piece of white Flemish [ cloth ]. I think that some of the Swedes will probably exchange provisions for linen.

Whereby I commend you to God's protection, remaining, after greetings.