Document: Declaration of Simon Root, Jacob Claessen and Anthony Pietersen

On this day, date underwritten, at the request of Andries Huyden, commissary, on behalf of the Chartered West India Company, we the undersigned, as witnesses hereto summoned, do by Christian words and in good conscience, in place and with promise of a solemn oath, if required, attest and declare that it is true and truthful that Adriaen van Tienhoven, Sander Boyer, and Davitt Davitsz, being servants of the aforesaid Company, have by order of Their High Mightinesses, the Honorable Lords of the States General, the illustrious Prince of Orange, and the Chartered West India Company, most emphatically exhorted the lieutenant of the Swedes to allow us to continue with our construction at the Mastemacker's Hoeck, situated on the Schuylkil in the South River of New Netherland. To this the lieutenant replied that we had nothing to do with our authorities, and that his orders came from his governor. Whereupon the aforesaid persons told him that it would be his responsibility if any misfortune occurred or blood was shed. The lieutenant then ordered his men to destroy the house, which they did by force; taking it from our hands in a hostile manner and pushing it over.

All of this done without guile or deceit, this 5 November 1648 at Beversreede.

To which we also attest:

Adriaen van Tienhoven
Symon Root
Alexander Boyer
David Davitsen
Jacob Claesz
Antoni Pietersz
Johannes Markus