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

My Lords, since closing my letter dated the 20th of this month, the ship has been detained until now by the people at New Amstel; in any case, there has also been bad weather. Since then the following has happened.

Yesterday the schout, van Sweringen, told the skipper in the presence of Willem Cornelissen Ryckevryer (also going to Manhattan now) that he could get the departure permit or pass from him if he so desired since he was anchored in the roads; and that in this matter it was none of Beeckman's business anyway. Thus it seems that the bark masters will have difficulty once more when they come in.

Also, at a meeting they charged the skipper 50 lbs. of gunpowder for anchoring in their roads, which I believe only the Company has the authority to do. I did not ask for the same because the ship was destined for Manhattan and you could request it all together [ there ]. I await your further orders in this matter.

Yesterday I received a letter here from Mr. Hendrick Huygen with a belt of sewant worth f13 (so he says). Some sachems of the river appeared at Tinnakonck to request that the Indians not be sold any brandy or strong drink. They are awaiting our advice and for this reason they delivered three belts of sewant there: one for them, one for Mr. d'Hinojossa, which was sent to him yesterday, and one for us.

The people at Tinnakonck, in my opinion should have directed the sachems to us and not indicated that they had any authority.

The request is justifiable in that it agrees with your ordinances and proclamations issued for this purpose. I

I shall go there tomorrow and discuss this with the Indians.

I have not informed Mr. d'Hinojossa of this because I could not get together with him and because they suspect one another.

Yesterday, the galliot was driven from the stream by an extraordinary high tide, but the sailors were able to return it to the bank. During the night it was driven again to the other side of the river so that the sailors had to go after it again because this tide and the strong north-west wind abated.

In closing I commend you to God's protection and remain forever.

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.