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Good Friends.
I held on last Tuesday a conference in the town of Midwout with the magistrates and chief officers of all the Dutch towns situate on Long Island concerning the present situation of the country whereupon I have received good satisfaction and contentment. I had greatly wished that time and the season of the year had permitted me to visit you and the remaining towns in like manner; but time not admitting, I have thought it necessary by the bearer Mr. Cornelis van Ruyven, to incite you to your plighted duty, and to repair to this city where suitable lodgings will be prepared for, and assigned to you. I refer further to the verbal communication of Mr. van Ruyven whom I have sent to that end, not doubting but I shall understand by him that you and all other inhabitants will abide by your honor and oaths. Meanwhile I remain

	Your friend.
Fort Willem Hendrick, 22nd December, 1673.		(Signed),	A. Colve.
To the Schout, magistrates, officers and inhabitants of the Town of Bergen.

References

Translation: O'Callaghan, E.B., trans./ed., Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New-York, vol. 2 (Albany: Weed, Parsons: 1858), pp. 569-730 (vol. 23, pp. 1-270 only).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.