Noble, Honorable, most Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord:
My Lord, your most welcome letter of 19 February arrived on the 3rd of this month by an Indian. I have done my utmost to reconcile Mr. D'jnojosse and Mr. van Gezel. I immediately posted the transmitted proclamation concerning the remote-settlers.[1] On 8 February I went with the schout, van Dyck, and the magistrates to New Amstel at the request of Mr. d'Hinojosse concerning the settlement with the Indians for the murders. On the evening of the 10th of this month, they came to a satisfactory agreement. The next day, after receiving the payment, they signed the agreement, and receipt; copies of which Mr. d'Hinojosse has promised to send to you.
During the conference with the Indians we received word that Mr. Hudden had been robbed and murdered. We immediately sent our boat up to the Swedes to investigate. Upon its return we were told that he was not dead but had been plundered to some extent. This we reported to the sachems who promised us that everything would be restored.
On 10 February Mr. d'Hinojosse sentenced the delinquents. He requested my presence but I excused myself, inquiring whether he was sufficiently authorized to decide such a crime. He answered, yes. He then asked that I sit by the fire next to Mr. Elmerhuysen and listen to their deliberations and conclusions, to which I agreed.
My Lord, there are rumors here that Lord Baltimore is in Maryland and that he is to descend upon us in three or four weeks with 500 men; but such news is uncertain. I request that you be pleased to send me orders and instructions about how I am to act in such an event (God forbid it); and whether it is not necessary that the decayed batteries be built up with sod or beans. I have them here at hand from the dilapidated house on Cuyper's Island,[2] of which some have been used here for a small bake house in the fort.
We have few muskets or musket balls in store here and no shot at all for the cannons.
We have no word yet of Carman by whom you intended to write.
My Lord, I was unable to dispatch the preceding because the Indian disappointed us. In the meantime, on the 8th of this month the fiscal and others arrived here. I received the order for a day of prayer from him and shall follow it as is proper.
My Lord, I recently learned that about 20 families of the Finnish and Swedish nation would like -this spring to go live in the colony. The schout and magistrates have requested that I prevent this. I replied that you would be informed and orders expected. The Swedish and Finnish nation number about 130 men capable of bearing arms, so van Dyck writes me.
We have awaited your instructions and orders concerning the proposal of the schout and magistrates to levy each household for the maintenance of the court.
Also, I have to inform you of the misuse of the horses by the Swedes so that there was no increase last year, and probably none now since the mares are very thin and worn out from hauling logs. There are no more than three mares and two stallions still alive from all the horses which you distributed, and only two colts of two years. It is my opinion that it would be better to let them run free for the increase or to sell them. Also, I shall await your orders whether the farmers should not be made to pay for the lost or dead horses.
My Lord, I am busy copying my books and shall, if God pleases, send them at the next opportunity. I respectfully request that you permit me to come to Manhattan in May or June, as the opportunity for passage presents itself. I would like to enroll my two oldest sons in school and put my affairs in order there.
Yesterday Andries Hudden delivered your most welcome letter of the 28th of last month in which you refer to the reply by De Visser. I received no letter by him but the fiscal gave me 200 guilders in sewant with orders to pay some expenses incurred by him; the rest to make use of here.
Mr. Hudden has asked me to intercede with you about obtaining Becker's place. I replied that I was not aware that he was discharged, and whatever the general does he has to be satisfied with. Nevertheless, I shall only say that several people have told me that he is a very able and clever man so that he is apparently better known to you (subject to correction) than he is to me here. In conclusion, I wish to commend you and your dear family to God's protection, and remain, after cordial greetings
Willem Beecqman
