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

My Lords, your letter dated 28 September was handed to me by Mr. Huygens, and the 16 skipples of salt by Jan de Kaper. Concerning Mr. d'Hinojosse's request that I assist him with six or eight men: as you have written, who is going to be satisfied with the City’s rations and salaries? On those conditions I do not believe anyone will go. Therefore, I request more specific special orders from you: whether such a requested number is to be ordered to that place, leaving the fort here garrisoned with the remaining five men.

I also see that you are displeased that more has been credited to merchants on the Company's own account than you had ordered. I shall be more careful in the future, if the need does not arise. Please keep in mind that this is a bad place, because the men can earn little or nothing on the outside and are barely able to live on the rations, making it necessary to charge things occassionally. As for myself, whenever I can obtain something here at a reasonable price necessary for the support of my family, I hope you will accept my debt in the account book, because everything ordered from Manhattan carries such large freight costs and other expenses.

My Lords, since I only had one ration of meat and bacon left before the receipt of your last letter, I bought two slaughter-oxen (since I had no contrary orders concerning the purchasing of foodstuffs here) and I have ordered a third one from Mr. La Grange, as well as five or six hogs. I promised for the purchase of the two oxen about 100 ells of Osnaburg linen, one ancker of brandy, and some duffels and a few blankets; for payment of the hogs I need some Flemish linen or coarse shirt linen, as well as for the purchase of bread grain; and we cannot do without corn. The soldiers are most anxious to receive shirts as some of them have none; I also need 12 or 15 ells of clothing material and woolen cloth, and some shoes.

My Lords, because the deputy-schout and court-messenger, Mathys Bengson, passed away on 9 September, I filled the position, subject to your approval, with Johan Daniels who has served in the same office under Mr. Montagne. Abraham van Nas who has been living here since February, about May (when his wife and children also arrived here) swore out a bond before us on behalf of Mr. d'Hinojosse for his arrears to the City; he posted his house and lots at New Amstel, the rent of f120 from the aforesaid house, and a cow and two calves. Therefore, he has not been bothered by Mr. d'Hinojosse during his stay here. Because he has realized that it will be difficult for him to earn a living here, he has asked me several times recently about a cadetship in the garrison at this place; however, I have refused this until I receive your advice which I expect soon.

Mr. d'Hinojosse has sold the galliot to some Englishmen, who had come here for runaway servants, for 14 hogsheads of tobacco and 40 head of cattle: half oxen and half cows.

On the 19th of this month the aforesaid gentlemen had a certain Turck hanged; after that he had his head cut off and set upon a post or stake. He and one of the English servants were brought from the Indians by Peter Alrichs in the Hoerekil. While being brought up to New Amstel by some Englishmen, the aforesaid Turck attacked them on the river near Boompiens Hoeck;^[1] he wounded two, slightly injured the third and escaped from the boat, but was recaptured. At New Amstel he was placed in confinement by Mr. d'Hinojosse, and on the 3rd of this month when the English masters were ready to leave, they were not allowed to take the Turck because the offense had been committed within the jurisdiction of the colony (so claims Mr. d'Hinojosse). But, I am of the opinion, subject to correction, that it was in your jurisdiction because the crime had been committed on the river and not in the colony. Van Sweringen sat here as judge and it was done without the knowledge of Mr. La Grangie.

In conclusion, I commend you to God's protection, after wishes for a prosperous administration and a long life, remaining,

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.