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LETTER from Balthazar Stuyvesant to Nicolaes Bayard at Manhattan

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Monsieur and most kind friend N. Beyaer[1], greetings.

I could not neglect writing to your honor at this opportunity, although it [ carries ] no more importance than [ expressing ] my good health about which I hope to hear shortly from your honor and your honor’s beloved parents.

Admiral de Ruyter has retaken Gunea as your honor shall be able to see from the accompanying papers;[2] and he has gone from there to the Barbados, where he has destroyed 22 ships together with the castles and a portion of the houses with about 1500 people killed.[3] He went from there to Marthinca,[4] where he was treated magnificently and where he also took on some crew. From there he sailed to Monsoratten[5] and Mivis[6] and took 15 English ships there. After having done all this, he went with his accompanying fleet to St. Crisstoffel.[7] Upon coming to the roadstead he blockaded it in a half moon in order to see whether any English ships were there. When he found none, he ordered the shot taken from the cannon and let all the. ships fire salvos in turn. The French rejoiced in this and answered immediately. He was also treated very well there. He departed from there after staying a few days; however, we do not know whether he then headed for the Terneufse banks[8] or for N. Nederlant, which I hope he did. If he should be there with your honor, I request that your honor be pleased to write about what happened this summer as well as last winter, which I trust your honor would not neglect to do.

A sliip arrived here from Holland on the 15th of June which was underway for 9 weeks. We were informed by them that they are also very busy there preparing for war, about which they are very serious; and they had about 116 to 117 ships ready with at least 36 guns. The States have also promised the captains that for each ship they take in battle they shall receive 1000 guilders for each gun on board; and those who take an admiral, 50000 on top of it; for a vice-admiral 40000: and for a rear-admiral 30000; and all private ships going in company with them shall receive just as much; and for each flag taken down they shall receive [      ].[9] privateers, whom they call the new sea-beggars,[10] about 24 in number; and more and more ships are being made ready daily. The English have also made ready some ships so that they should have quite a fight.

I am sending your honor herewith some printed papers which I dared not enclose in father’s letter;[11] therefore, I request that your honor be pleased to read these first and then hand them to him or to mother. Your honor may also let the others read them.

Concerning us here, we are all still in good health and I still have little fear that the Englishman will come from there to take us over, because we are presently well provided with provisions and other things.

Concerning me personally, I am very well satisfied [      ]; however, if I could only get news from father and mother and your honor about how it went with them last winter, which I trust your honor shall not be negligent in writing me about, for which I can provide your honor from here with some agreeable service; be it in my power, I shall see that it is carried out whenever your honor demands such.

I request most amicably that your honors be pleased to send me seed of every sort, such as cabbage, carrots, lettuce, parsley, etc. for none can be acquired here and I know that your honor has plenty, together with the two young dogs which I asked for from Tercoot[12] in my previous letter; they are things for which I am depending on your honor.

I would write and recommend that your honor take care of the girls on the Manhattans; however, I know that your honor will not be remiss therein. Your honor can greet them all for me with a kiss and sometimes to remember them with a hug. I have also heard here that some are already becoming English; also, among others, F Kips,[13] whereby I am half afraid of the neighbors, if she has not moved. If this has not occurred, your honor can reproach her a little that she should beware of getting involved in such heresy, because I surely know that there is now no lack of Dutch suitors and because it would be a disgrace for your honor. Herewith, after cordial greetings, I commend your honor to the protection of God and remain,

Monsieur,

Your honor’s entirely devoted

friend and servant,

B. L. Stuyvesant

Curaçao, in Fort Amsterdam,
the 2nd of July 1665.

[post scriptum:] I expected all the news from your honor because father will not write me about such things.

[ addressed: ] Monsieur Monseieur (sic.)
Nicolaes Baeyaert op de Manhatans

Notes

Nicholas Bayard was first cousin to Balthasar Stuyvesant. His mother, Anna Stuyvesant Bayard, was sister of Petrus Stuyvesant.
These papers do not survive.
These are highly exaggerated reports; according to English accounts the Dutch killed only two people and a dog.
i.e., the French island of Martinique.
i.e., Monterserrat.
i.e., Nevis.
i.e., St. Christopher, now St. Kitts.
i.e., Terraneuve or Newfoundland.
Balthasar Stuyvesant apparently intended to fill this in later, but forgot to do so.
This is a reference to the sea beggars who fought against the Spanish navy during the early period of the Eighty Years’ War.
These papers do not survive.
Possibly Jan Turcot.
Probably Femmetje Kip, daughter of Hendrick Hendricksen Kip and Tryntie Lubberts, born 1643.

References

Translation: Gehring, C., trans./ed., Curaçao Papers, 1640-1665 (New Netherland Research Center and the New Netherland Institute: 2011).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.