Research

Series:

Scanned Document:

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

We have, to our great regret, troubled you in the past with letters expressing concern about and fear of the English. This has been dragging on in such a way and for so long that it sometimes has appeared as a dark cloud repeatedly wishing to disappear; nevertheless, its time has now come. Six persons on behalf of the province of Maryland arrived Saturday evening around eight o'clock with four fugitives who came in their company. Three of them were arrested and the fourth escaped. The six persons are: the honorable Colonel Nathaniel Utie, his brother, his cousin, a major, Jacob de Vrint and a servant.^[1] He [ Utie ] requested an interview for Wednesday which was granted. When he appeared I requested his commission, whereupon he presented his instructions which he said served as both commission and instructions. A copy of it is attached. Although this was certainly peculiar and caustic enough, that which accompanied it verbally was so much more pervaded with acrimony that it was unbearable. He demanded our answer or declaration of yes or no at once, otherwise he would make use of other means and would not be responsible for the bloodshed. He claimed he had [ full authority ], could not [ admit ] of any delay, [ nor could there be a more favorable period to execute their plans, as they might now dispose of the land to a number of tobacco planters. It appears that they are intently bent upon the execution of this project, as becomes further evident from his answer or protest ]...

[  Remaining three lines of page defective.  ]

...cadets and drummer, the citizenry is small and not inclined to fright because the City has violated and reduced their conditions. In brief, it is an impossible situation here without aid or relief which needs to be sent here upon receipt of this, as soon as possible, without the least delay. I hope that the galliot is still there. It should be pressed into service immediately, without any holdup or delay. If your business would allow coming here in person, it would be quite useful and helpful. We shall have no peace with them unless, according to your usual discretion and precedence, you make such a disposition in this matter as your wise council may suggest. Please do not abandon or forsake us in this time of need and distress. Therefore, I shall let everything rest on your accustomed good judgment, awaiting patiently such assistance that you deem necessary and appropriate for the disposition of matters. We are at their mercy; therefore, please give it every proper consideration. For this I pray to God. After sincere salutation I commend you, the Noble, Honorable Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord, to the Almighty's protection remaining

[ P.S.: ] [ Since I wrote the above letter, we further conversed together, chiefly however with regard to his master's warrant and instructions. At this time I proposed that a certain time might yet be allowed, in which I could notify the director- general of this event. No more than three weeks were allowed for it... ]

[  Remaining three lines of page defective.  ]

[ Addressed: ] Noble, Honorable, Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord Petrus Stuyvesant, Director- General over New Netherland, Curacao etc. Residing in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland

By an Indian.

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.