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

My Lord, your latest letter has been duly received for which this serves as a brief reply. Concerning the beavers delivered to you by Th. Hall: when you were told about their poor quality, I explained the reason (only as payment), namely, for freight on goods from Holland; also by what acquaintance they were brought into my house (after skipper Jac. Jansz had previously refused them as payment) and I had to receive them, trusting and hoping that I would escape without any damage or difficulties. It is certainly true that this matter does not concern you and I seek not the least quarrel with anyone or with this acquaintance, since what has passed between us has been consigned to oblivion and shall remain there.

Concerning M. Jansz^[1] who thinks the price or value of beavers to be extraordinarily high: I have trusted and have never had any other thoughts, namely, that a beaver is calculated at eight guilders or, if not available, to be paid in ten guilders of good sewant, or in merchandise at the current price here. The cows are quite small, some lean and otherwise without milk so that no one desires to share on halves; the herd from M. Jansz has arrived here, consisting of 2[      ] cattle and 7 calves, in addition 2[      ] altogether, large and small, 3[      ] payment of the same, please arrange in the most expedient way possible as [      ] shall be a favor to me.

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...gave notice in a written declaration that he neither could nor wished to continue in his yearly service; since he was part-time employed, but as an old servant who is well-acquainted with this area and river, I requested and obtained his discharge from you in order to avail myself of his service and to continue him in this office with his former salary.

I send herewith some merchandise^[2] as payment on the received cattle, please credit the account for as much as they would bring there which would be most to our advantage. They have been packed and marked as in the margin and according to the enclosed invoice. It should also be calculated whatever is due me or my superiors from Marcus Barents, soldier, killed there, in 1657, likewise Jan Cornfelisz] de Ryke sent there from Fort Altena, and Pierre Crosson whose service you desired under the provision that whatever he owed the City would be settled, as well as from a certain servant girl, Geesien, whose board and passage had been assumed by you. I shall send more detailed specifications and accounts as soon as the commissary is feeling better and is on his feet again.

Jan Jeuriaens, commissary at Fort Altena, has again requested 8000 bricks for needed construction there. I have delivered some of them and shall have the rest sent off...

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...nevertheless few adults have died, but rather many young children who were not able to endure it. Six of us have also had our turn, but I praise God that I was not down with it long; the councillors Hinijossa and Rynevelt as well as the schout and all the schepens have had a long confinement and most of them are still in bed. Yet I hope that things will improve soon since the disease is now beginning to abate somewhat, which the gracious God may be pleased to remove more and more and put an end to.

The ship, de Meulen, arrived here at the end of last month with 108 people of whom 10 or 11 persons died on board, passengers as well as crew, from the hardship of the long voyage and other adversities; another three have died since coming ashore. They were much distressed and in want of water because of the great amount of people on board. For some days they were unable to cook because of contrary winds they were forced to find a harbor and being near here, they ran into this bay which made us very happy notwithstanding the many mouths to feed with the few provisions which came over with them. (D'Bruynvisch was supposed to set sail with this ship or on the following day, I hope that it has arrived there safely.) It makes me rather uneasy that you have seen fit to decrease the supply of needed provisions for this place; I would like to be able to enjoy the former accommodation prevent the present scarcity and more so [      ] the approaching inconvenience, as well [      ] could become pressing because of the aforesaid [      ].

Alexander d'H[      ] ^[3] is also traveling there...

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...and with your approval, is done and settled, shall be considered as well done.

The ship, de Meulen, has unloaded all the City's goods except for some bricks which it is now busy doing. I shall have freight for it to the amount of 600 guilders. As soon as the bricks are unloaded it will at once proceed there.

In closing, after dutiful respects, I pray to God that he may keep you, the Noble, Honorable, Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord and your loved ones in continuous health and prosperity.

Remaining

In New Amstel,

7 October 1658.

[ Addressed: ]

Noble, Honorable, Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord Pet[      ]

General over [      ]

Curacao [      ]

Residing [      ]

By H. and friend who God [      ]

Notes

References

Translation: Gehring, C. trans./ed., New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vols. 18-19, Delaware Papers: Dutch Period, 1648-1664 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1981).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.