Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lords:
My Lords, your letter and copy of the 22nd of last month was received on the 30th and 31st. On the 5th of this month, when all the Swedes and Finns were summoned to Altena (although none appeared), I resigned my office, and was then informed by councillors of New Amstel, who were commissioned to come here, that, according to your instructions, I was to occupy my present lodgings until spring, and that an agreement has been made to evacuate the soldiers quarters within 14 days, which will be done.
It is likely that the ship, de Purmerlander Kerck, will sail up to your place, because little or no cargo can be expected here. Mr. d'Hinojosse is attempting to persuade the skipper to go to Cura?ao for a load of salt; however, the skipper objects because he has a special agreement that he must remain here until the end of March or, at the most, until the 8th of April to wait for cargo, because the shippers are firmly convinced that they will get a full cargo here. The skipper has therefore decided that this voyage to Cura?ao would be against his charter-party. He also says that he can hardly be ready to sail in one month because the bricks and pantiles have not yet been unloaded, and that there is no ballast at hand for immediate loading during this winter period.
On the 9th of this month, the Swedish magistrates with many of their [ nation ] and the Finnish nation appeared here. After I released them from their former oath (at the proposal and request of Mr. d'Hinojosse), so that they could take a new one, they went on the 10th to New Amstel and said, "If we have been sold, then we are handing ourselves over." On the same day they were administered an oath by the director and council in my presence, which they unanimously refused to take until they had in writing those privileges of trade and other things which they had enjoyed under the Company's administration; without this [ they said ] that they would be forced to leave. They were granted eight days to confer with the rest of their people about whether to take the oath or to leave. I have learned from various sources that they would rather break up and come under your government at the Nevesins or thereabouts.
On the 2nd of this month Mr. d'Hinojosse himself offered me my present lodgings as a gift if I wanted to establish a stately plantation in the neighborhood. He also said that he had orders from his superiors to persuade me to remain here in the river. This was repeated to me on the 5th of this month by the gentlemen of the council, assuring me of their friendship and that of Mr. d'Hinojosse. All of which they proposed with their old fervor. Finally, they said that when I had settled my affairs with you at Manhattan, we would talk again upon my return, in more detail about the other matter.
Thank you for the favorable letter of recommendation to Mr. d'Hinojosse, as well as for your strong desire to continue me [ in the service ]. I hope that the opportunity will present itself in the meantime.[1]
My Lords, I shall let no opportunity pass to bring over the Company's effects and the garrison in February, whether it be by ship or by Jan de Kaper. This letter is coming with the risk that the bearer may be able to get through. I dare not venture presently to return the garrison overland (three of the men are too sick to march), partly because of the changeable weather and partly because I have received no definite orders from you concerning this.
In closing, I commend you to God's protection, remaining, after wishes for a long life and prosperous administration.
