Document: Letter from William Beeckman to director Stuyvesant

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

My Lord, little has occurred here since my last letter; only greater and newer differences between d'Hinojosse and van Gezel, because d'Hinojosse has demanded for the second time an account of his administration when auction-master, also of f135 hanging in appeal. Therefore, Mr. d'Hinojosse has requested by letter that I attach van Gezel's goods at Altena; which was done. Whereupon van Gezel requested a special meeting to hear the reasons for the attachment. Mr. d'Hinojosse did not appear; therefore, the attachment was rescinded and d'Hinojosse fined for the costs.

On the 24th of last month, when d'Hinojosse had requested the attachment at Altena, he had all of the goods in van Gezel's house inventoried in the presence of his wife; soldiers were stationed in it, and van Gezel was declared bankrupt and a fugitive. Nevertheless, the wife of Cornelis van Gezel concealed most of the goods and had them brought to Altena. D'Hinojosse wants to have van Gezel brought by force to New Amstel in order to appear before the court. Van Gezel has demonstrated that in February 1660 not only did he turn in the accounts but also two books in which every sale is specified and the pertinent accounts of every bequeathable estate is recorded. These accounts and books h? delivered to Matthys Capito, together with the books and records of the late Mr. Alrichs. D'Hinojosse says that he has no knowledge of it.

Van Gezel made an agreement with the bearer at Altena that he should take his yacht there with his wife and some goods aboard; and that he would depart at once for Manhattan. When he came here today, he said that he wanted to leave immediately for Manhattan. The people here are very afraid of d'Hinojosse. He threatens to inspect the yacht because he has heard there are some goods aboard from above. He has searched most of the houses at New Amstel in order to find the woman and the goods. Therefore, the woman was forced to flee and leave her four month-old child behind so that she would not be discovered by its crying. He has held it in detention for three days; thus he goes about his business very rigorously. Van Gezel is at a loss as to how he can transport the papers and books, concerning the estate and other matters, to Manhattan. I proposed to Jan Stocker, the bearer of this, to indemnify himself against the aforesaid with d'Hinojosse; indeed, I even offered him insurance against inspection - but, he is afraid.

Concerning the needs of our garrison at Altena, I refer to my last letter.

I hereby commend you to God's protection, remaining, after wishes for a long life and prosperous administration,