Document: Letter from William Beeckman to director Stuyvesant

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

My Lord, your most welcome letter of 2 February arrived on the 13th of this month. I shall carry out the tenor thereof as much as possible. I cannot let this sudden and unexpected opportunity pass without informing you that yesterday Capt. Voeler[1] arrived in New Amstel as a refugee from Maryland. Today he presented himself here. After some discussion, he asked, whether he would be turned in or defended, if a summons or citation were to come from the governor of Maryland. He also claims that he could not be legally held if he were called before us from his party since his dispute concerned affairs of state of Maryland, and he defended its privileges. He is a Quaker and showed not the least respect when he arrived. Upon leaving our house, he made the excuse that he certainly knew how to show respect but that his conscience did not permit it. I replied to this that our conscience could not tolerate such denominations or sects; if he kept quiet and no more of his sort arrived, then I would tolerate him until more detailed instructions from you. However, if there were an increase, then he would have to leave our jurisdiction pursuant to your praiseworthy orders. The aforesaid Voeler says that the change of government[2] causes great turmoil and may lead to war, i.e., the protestants against the papists, since they will not tolerate a papist governor.[3] He also says that there have been many beheadings recently in England, and some quarterings and hangings; and that over a thousand reformed ministers have been imprisoned because they refuse to practice the papist religion and represent the districts as the bishops do. Terrible to hear! God grant us a peace in our times.

Oele Stille, one of our magistrates has also arrived here from Maryland with some Finns. They had gone there, as I am informed, to take up land and to go there in the spring to live. The schout, van Dyck, did not inform me of their departure. After finding that their countrymen in the Salsefras River were in difficulty, they gave up their venture; and Oele Stille says that perhaps all the Finns living there may return here. It is my opinion that it would be of service (with all due repsect) to have instructions, in case this should come to pass, to establish a village next to the others at Passajongh or elsewhere, and not to allow them to settle separately as that people has been so inclined to do; and also to administer the old and proper oath.

In closing, I commend you to the protection of God who has been pleased to keep you in constant health and prosperity, I remain.