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My Lord General:

The Indians reported here yesterday that they had found two dead Indians in a thicket, or marshy place, near New Amstel who were supposedly murdered by Christians. As a result the Indians are very upset and threaten the people of New Amstel. However, I know nothing certain. I informed Mr. d'Hinojosse of it at once. In closing, I wish to commend you to God's protection, remaining.

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

Since the Indians disappointed me again on the 14th of this month, I could get no other than this one. He is to receive nothing from you but what shall be paid him here upon his return.

We hope that you are in good health. Since my last letter on the 14th of this month^[i] little has happened. Yesterday I released - subject to your approval - Walraven Jansz, soldier, from his service, upon his repeated requests and considering that we had little service out of him because of sickness. However, he will remain here because he built [ a house ] this summer.

Cornelis van Gezel has been removed from office at New Amstel. Johan Crato has replaced him as councilor and the schout, van Sweringen, takes up the pen as secretary. The government now consists of Mr. d'Hinojosse, van Sweringen and Crato; they are joined in special matters by Dr. Willem,^[ii] surgeon, and Hans Block, gunner.

Mr. d'Hinosse has requested that Pieter Alrichs re-enter the service and become commander of the Hoerekil again in the spring.

Some farmers, who arrived on the Vergulde Meulen and settled here opposite our fort as a village, have complained to me lately that they have no more provisions because they harvested little from their land last summer. Their seed-grain from Mr. Alrichs came late, and it was English grain which ripened very late. Consequently, most of it froze in the fields so that they have little or no provisions. They can also get none from Mr. d' Hinojosse, although he had the people come to New Amstel four or five times and promised assistance. Finally, he gave each of the seven or eight families one-quarter skipple of seed-grain, saying that he did it as a private person. These farmers have sown a considerable amount of winter wheat, yet some say that if they receive no assistance, they will have to run away before the new grain comes up because they already have sold their surplus clothing last winter for provisions.

The ice broke up two days ago so that we shall shortly have open water. In closing I hereby wish to commend you and your dear family to God's protection with wishes for health, longevity and a prosperous administration, remaining after greetings.

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.