Translation
Letter from the directors at Amsterdam to Director Stuyvesant
[1] [ Honorable, Valiant, Pious, Dear, Faithful. ]
By our last letter of the [ 4th of April ] last past,[2] sent with the ship [ St. ] Michiel , which sailed about three weeks ago, we advised your honor regarding the giving away of Varckens Island: to Francoys Fijn and hope that your honor has received it long before receipt of this. Since that time we have obtained some information, althopgh incomplete, concerning this island, and are told that it would be particularly useful to the Company in the present or any future differences with the English for locating fortifications thereon for the security of our government. Whereas Hendrick Frederick Mansvelt strongly insists on our approval of the same island for his son-in-law Francoys Fijn, we had deemed it fit and necessary, as your honor can see from the accompanying resolution, to defer the matter to your honor and the councilors with the expectation that your honor aim for the best herein for the Company and the shareholders, and keep us informed of your honor's thoughts.
Amsterdam, this 10th of May 1652
Your honor's good friends
[ ADDRESSED: ] To the Director P. Stuyvesant in New Netherland.