To the honorable high and mighty lords States General of the United Netherlands.
We remonstrate with due reverence and profound humility, also with all due sincerity and truth as far as we are aware, in the name of all your high mightinesses’ subjects, who through God’s providence under your high mightinesses’ authority and protection have transported themselves and settled in the province of New Netherland, a country [ not differing much ] from our fatherland regarding climate [ and fertility ], in which your high mightinesses’ subjects can easily gain their livelihood. They have done so for a time and would be able to do so in the future, with the evident prospect of producing a great many and different good fruits and merchandises, if your high mightinesses’ subjects could be and remain somewhat safe against the molestations, annoyances and murders committed by the barbarous natives, from whom we have, from time to time, suffered much insult by the killing of our cattle and the murdering of persons, with the particulars of which, referring to past times, we will not trouble your high mightinesses, in order not to make the report too long and to disturb your high mightinesses’ constant attention to higher and more important matters. We shall only briefly say that after a war had been waged during one or two years by various barbarous Indian tribes against the Netherlandic nation,[1] subjects of your noble high mightinesses, the lawfulness or unlawfulness of which we will not discuss to anyone’s discredit, in the year 1645 a firm and inviolable peace was finally made with the aforesaid natives on the conditions here annexed. Since that time the aforesaid Indian tribes have, without cause having been given, as far as we know, not only killed and destroyed many animals, as cows, horses and hogs, belonging to your noble high mightinesses’ subjects, but have also horribly murdered ten persons, first Simon Walingen in the second year after the peace was made, in 1651 the wife of Jan Pietersen on Long Island, in 1652 four persons on this island of Manhattan, a year later again three persons on Staten Island and last year Jochem Pietersen Kuyter in his own house, whereupon the chief magistrate of this province demanded the murderers, but they were always refused, at least they never appeared. These infractions of the treaty made by them have always been passed over by the aforesaid magistrates for the sake of peace and for the best of the country and the people and without show of hostility or revenge. It has further happened, that on the 15th of September last past, (while the director general had proceeded, pursuant to orders and directions of the lords directors, patroons of this country, with the few soldiers of this province, to the South River, to avenge the injuries and affronts inflicted by the Swedes and to reduce that river again to the jurisdiction of this province, for the success of which expedition, blessed be God, we are truly thankful), fourteen days after the general’s departure at a very early hour of the morning 64 canoes full of Indians arrived in the neighborhood of this city of New Amsterdam, who, almost before anyone had risen from bed, spread over this city and during the day offered and committed in many houses and to many citizens insults, which to specify would lengthen this humble petition too much. Their sachems or chiefs were then summoned before the council and gave good words and promises to depart before evening, but they remained, the Lord only knows with what intentions: in the meantime the good citizens, already uneasy on account of the insults suffered during the day, became very circumspect and, afraid of further mischief, strengthened their guards by order of the remaining members of the council and other officers during the following night. However, about eight o’clock one Paulus Leendertsen was threatened, according to his declaration, with a hatchet and the former fiscal Van Dyck was wounded by an arrow within this city, whereupon a great outcry and noise was made and some of the citizens began to shoot at the Indians and a few were killed on either side. Shortly afterwards and during the whole night, following a fearful fire, a massacre was committed by the aforesaid Indians, so that in three days’ time about 50 Christians were killed and murdered, more than one hundred, mostly women and children, captured, of whom we afterwards ransomed 60 to 70 with great expense, the rest being still in their hands, 28 bouweries and some plantations and about twelve to fifteen thousand skipples of grain burned, 500 to 600 head of cattle either killed or taken by the barbarians. In any case, noble lords, your high mightinesses’ subjects and humble petitioners have suffered through these barbarous Indians a damage of more than two hundred thousand guilders and more than 200 persons, besides those, who were killed or are still in captivity, have lost their possessions and having nothing left to procure food and clothing for themselves and their families must be a charge upon this city alone. Finally, the country in general has gone backward so much, that it will not be in the same flourishing state for several years, that it was in six weeks ago. To this the fear must be added, which most of the inhabitants entertain (and not without reason) to be again surprised so unexpectedly, in case no steps are taken to prevent so general a massacre and so great a loss. It makes them and many others circumspect and timid to go again into the open country. It is besides impossible, unless they receive assistance from others, hence we have only to expect, in consequence of the failure of cultivation and harvests, poverty, want, famine and final total ruin of the country.
We, your noble high mightinesses’ subjects and petitioners, very humbly and respectfully submit this dismal and doleful state of affairs and ask herewith for help and advice, how we shall act towards these barbarous tribes in regard to the aforesaid and other murders, affronts and enormous damages. We are very much disinclined to enter without you noble honors’ knowledge, advice and assistance into an open war, which if, besides God’s help, no assistance and succor is sent from our dear fatherland, it would be humanly speaking, impossible to carry on and bring to a desirable result. We have considered all this thoroughly, also the present critical situation of the lords directors of the chartered West India Company, who are unable to send us such a relief and so soon, according to your noble high mightinesses’ advice, as the present general distress and circumstances of the country may require. Therefore, we find ourselves compelled to have recourse to your noble high mightinesses with the knowledge and approval of the lords directors, the patroons of this province, and to ask, besides the good advice of our lords patroons, with great respect for the wise counsel and effective assistance of your noble high mightinesses; with this assistance, we hope to subdue under God’s guidance the barbarous tribes and to inhabit the country in peace. We, your noble high mightinesses’ petitioners, have communicated the details to the lords directors and omitted them here for brevity’s sake, in order not to trouble your noble high mightinesses, who are busy with more important matters. Awaiting your noble honors’ wise counsel and assistance with humility and patience, your noble lordships’ petitioners and subjects shall pray the Almighty God for your noble lord- ships’ lasting success and prosperity, etc.[2]
