Translation
Letter from gov. Colve to gov. Winthrop
The following is the answer:
Gentlemen,
I yesterday received your letter of
the 31st October, old style, wherein seeing that the aforesaid of the 21st of said
month handed by John Bankes was from you, I answer: I am very well aware how the
subjects of their High Mightinesses and the inhabitants of open hamlets and villages
ought to be treated, but I also well know that I am not obliged to account to you in
the premises. It is sufficiently notorious and can also appear by their written
requests that the inhabitants of the East end of Long Island have submitted and
declared themselves subjects of their High Mightinesses, delivering up their colors,
constables' staves, making nominations for Schout Magistrates and Secretaries,
whereupon their election also duly followed; furthermore we have been requested by
their deputies to excuse the elected magistrates from coming hither to take the oath,
but as it was necessary to send Commissioners thither in order to bring the people
under oath, that they too may be qualified to administer the same to the magistrates
in like manner, which we were pleased to grant them and which would undoubtedly have
been complied with by them had not some evil disposed persons gone from you and
dissuaded them. I am here to maintain the right of their High Mightinesses and his
Serene Highness the Prince of Orange, my Lords and Masters; therefore give little
heed to your strange and threatening words, knowing to put with God's blessing and
the force entrusted to me, such means into operation as will reduce rebels to due
obedience, and to make those who uphold them in their unrighteous proceedings to
alter their evil designs. Regarding what you write, that I am led, by barbarous
motives, to molest the Dutch open villages, but that the English scorn such
unchristian designs; 'tis known throughout the entire world in what a humane manner
we treat our conquered enemies whereunto your nation is no stranger both in the last
and in the present war, our fleets having had plenty of opportunities to cause great
damage, yea ruin to whole countries, but have exhibited no inclination thereto, which
was not the case with your nation, on the island of Ter Schellingh[1] towards poor fishermen and farmers. I deem
it unnecessary to answer any other points of your letter. Therefore break off and
subscribe
By order of the Honorable Governor-General | |
of N. Netherland. | |
Fort Willem Hendrick this 18th November, 1673. | (Signed), |
The superscription was:
To Mr John Winthrop, commanding at Hartford,
and the
Court of the
English inhabitants of Connecticot.