to the Hague intending to ask their High: Might: to convey the island to them as their property; learning however that the affairs of New Netherland were then being discussed, they left again without taking any steps. You will be informed by Secretary Thienhoven in regard to the lawsuit against Melyn and to him we refer you. We have learned with regret of the troubles and difficulties, which some Christians have had with the savages, especially as we are not in a condition to take revenge: we judge therefore, that you have done well to arrange this matter by the most gentle means. We do not think it advisable to consider at present your request of erecting a redoubt opposite Staten Island, nor the case of the soldier, whom Cornelis Melyn has debauched and who is still upon that island: we prefer to leave these matters, until the deliberations at the Hague have been concluded. We have before now expressed to you our opinion on the question of the boundaries between the English, the Swedes and us and do not as yet see a chance, to treat about it properly here or in England. We had therefore recommended to you, to make if possible a provisional settlement of the boundaries subject to the approval of the higher authorities on either side. You said then, the English themselves had pointed out such a measure and as we cannot think of a better expedient, we hope the gentlemen of the government may hit upon something better, to obtain which no exertions are spared. We commend you, Honorable, Worthy, Faithful, to the protection of God and remain Amsterdam, this 16th of February A 1650. Your good friends JACOB PERGENS LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS TO STUYVESANT: RESULT OF THE REMONSTRANCE FROM NEW NETHERLAND: REV. MEGAPOLENSIS' TRACT ON CONFESSION: SCHOOLMASTER: BOUNDARIES : EMIGRATION. Our last letters were of the 16th of February and 24th of March; in the former we told you, how the deputies, who had come here from New Netherland, by all imaginable means, many of which were to work indirectly, had known to give to their propositions such an appearance, that a number of mature minds have been deceived. Their undertaking then, assuming a look of danger for your reputation, the interest of the Company and especially this Department of Amsterdam, we were compelled to communicate with the Magistrates of this city, who have in so far countenanced our complaints, that they showed themselves inclined, to uphold our privileges. Very likely a great explosion would have been the result, if it had not been prevented by the careful management of the houble Deputies from their High: Might:, who have discovered means, by which they expect to satisfy provisionally either side. A copy of their resolves goes herewith; you may judge by it, how much trouble we have had and how dangerous it is to draw upon yourself the wrath of a growing community. We must suppose, that you have trusted too much to some of these ringleaders or become too intimate with them: now, that their ingratitude and treachery have come to light, you must still act with the cunning of a fox and treat them in regard to the past conform with the abovementioned resolutions, to prevent that a new mistake may not make matters worse, than the first one did and that we may not be troubled any more by such contemptuous bickerings, the more so, as the Company is already sufficiently embarrassed. The honble Deputies are still engaged in deliberating on suitable means to add to the prosperity and population of the country. As soon as a written memorandumn of their propositions has been delivered to us, we shall express our opinions and send you copies of either in order to learn, what you may have to say about it. The case of Cornelis Melyn has as yet been tried on side-issues only, although your attorney has taken divers steps, by petitions, to keep it alive. It seems, he is not ready or intends to tire us out; meanwhile we doubt not, but you have procured, as we advised you, more convincing documents, for we must confess, that the evidence, brought over by your attorney, is rather shaky: the saying is, that a good case requires good help. Having thus far repeated in substance what we had written you before, we will briefly answer your last two letters of the 24th of November and 10th of December of last year, the main points of which have been already answered by our abovementioned letters, to wit your request, that we should decide about the bouweries, which had been disposed of, especially the one, which you yourself desire to have. As yet we cannot say anything else about it, than what we have already said and to repeat our reasons. The same must be repeated in regard to the prize cargo, captured by Capt. Blauvelt, for we do not all intend to burden ourselves with such intricate cases, as we have our hands full to maintain our lawful claims: although we have directed to keep the goods in safe storage for the benefit of those, to whom they be adjudicated, we learn, that sailors and soldiers at the Manhattans have sold to divers parties Cochenille Silvestre* at shamefully low prices; you will therefore please to investigate, whence it came, for this matter gives food for various thoughts. may The wife of D° Megapolensis will tell you herself, what satisfaction we have given her at your request: we shall consult with the deputed brethren of the reverend Classis in regard to the printing of the Dominic's manuscript on Confessiont and inform you of their opinion. The schoolmaster,** for whom you asked, goes out with this ship: God grant, that he may confirm the good character, which he has borne here, and continue for a long time in the edification of the youths. We expect to provide you by the first opportunity with materials to equip the yachts, “New Swol" and "Liefde" now laid up, and if possible with the required sailors: meanwhile we hope to learn of the fulfillment of your promise, to send us a good cargo of timber by the ship "Prins Willem": it would raise our spirits, for it vexes us to be frequently told, that we derive no advantages from the country, that the province is only a burden upon our shoulders and that therefore the Company would do better to abandon it. That are the arguments of the men, who have tried to dispossess us of the country by intrigues. We are astonished at the dangerous delivery of the Frenchman Iuy Ponterel in the Bellecourt. It has never been our intention to take him from the Indians against their will and you *See Raynal Hist. Philos. des 2 Indes III 297 The full title of this work was Examination and Confession for the benefit of those, who are inclined to approach the Lord's Table. B. F. " ** Willem Verstius, who taught school in New Amsterdam till 1655, when he resigned to return to Holland. will find that we ordered quite the contrary, directing that the savages should be paid for him 300fl without running any risk. We have not yet heard from his friends, how well pleased they are with his delivery. A surgeon, Mr. Hans Kierstede, troubles us here a good deal: he tells us, that one Jacob Molenaer, who now serves the Company there as surgeon, is inclined to leave our service and as he Kierstede, has also served under the Company a long time and as far as we know faithfully, we are willing, that you should listen to his requests, if matters are, as he says and if in your opinion his services are required by the Company, he may take the place of surgeon. We observe however, that every ship takes over many people of all kinds of professions and therefore we are in doubt, whether the Company should engage such servants, especially as we ought to avoid all unnecessary expenses. The letter from the English of Boston, dated the 6th of August 1649 and your answer of the 2a of Septbr. take away the hope, raised by your previous letters, of having the boundaries provisionally settled, which this nation seems to have proposed first. These letters give quite a different aspect to the case; we find in them threats, to which we fear the instigations of Cornelis Melyn have not been the least cause: the unnecessary trade in muskets, which you made with Vasterick entirely without our knowledge and consent had also something to do with it: we have been much abused on account of the latter transaction, although done without our knowledge, and we were not a little surprised by it. The excuses, which you make, are very flimsy and have not been accepted by this board; you can therefore judge, how you have compromised your reputation by this transaction, the more so as now it is followed by complaints and threats from our English neighbors, which must strengthen the case of our adversaries, if they get wind of it. If in consequence of such acts we should have trouble with the English, the deputies of their High: Might: would be very much displeased, especially as the deputies from New Netherland have spared no effort, to persuade them, that you may be, with your precise proceedings, the cause of an eventual rupture with the English. We are however inclined to believe the contrary although the resolve of the English, to make war upon the Wappinger Indians causes us much anxiety. If these Indians should be driven away, then the English would thus by occupying their lands have a chance to cut Rensselaerswyck off from us; they might further become masters of the whole North river and with it of the fur trade. There are already a number of competitors for that trade here; Wouter van Twiller and his friends especially pretend, that they alone ought to be privileged, to carry on this trade, although the Company has always maintained this right, to exclude every body from this trade at any time: we would do it now, if we only could discover how. We had hoped, that you would make a provisional arrangement with our neighbors to settle the boundaries, for we cannot see any chance, to treat with that nation here, for nobody appears to have authority to do it. The King has left his kingdom and as yet nobody has been willing to enter into correspondence with the present government of England: a commissioner from the Province of Holland is now on the point of going to England; time will show, what he may accomplish. Many free people are coming over in this ship, the "Valckenier" and we hope, that a greater number shall follow by every vessel. As people here encourage each other with the prospect of becoming mighty lords there, if inclined to work, it may have a good result. Meanwhile you will please to accommodate and assist the arriving free men as much as possible. We enclose the lists of passengers and the invoices of the cargo of the "Valckenier." Examine everything closely, that the Company may not be defrauded. Herewith etc etc. Amsterdam the 15th of April 1650. Your good friends The Directors of the W. I. Comp. JEHAN RAYE, P. S. SCHEULENBORCH. LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS TO STUYVESANT; THE NEW NETHERLAND DELEGATES; ALARM OF THE AMSTERDAM CHAMBER; EMIGRATION; PAVONIA; MELYN; VAN DER DONCK. 1650 July 24th. Honorable, Worshipful, Pious, Faithful. Our last letter, dated the 15th of April, and sent by the " Valckenier," will have informed you of the vexation caused to us by the delegates from New Netherland and their party, who although occasionally appearing to grow weary of their solicitations, yet have frequently instigated by, we do not know, whom, made new requests. We presume, however, it has been done by people, who wish to avoid paying the tolls due to the Company and the sequel of their solicitations. will prove this. These delegates and their followers have first assumed the bearing of farmers and as if their intentions were only to promote the increase of population and agriculture. All their remonstrances show that, but now these farmers have suddenly been transformed into merchants. and they endeavor by all kinds of means to persuade their High: Might:, that the customs duties cannot be borne by the community. They had already imposed upon the good nature of some of the gentlemen, when we, observing it, communicated with the Magistrates of this city, who, being at the Hague, declared, that the decision in this matter rested solely with the Department of Amsterdam, entrusted with the management of these affairs. When the petitioners saw, that they could not carry out their plan either in Gelderland nor at the Hague, they threw away the mask, declared themselves as merchants, who had freighted the ship "Fortuijn," which takes out this letter, and requested our board, that their cargo intended for agricultural use should be exempted from duty. This was granted, but when the invoices were produced and the goods brought to the warehouse, they were found to be mostly real merchandise, for which we demanded duty. They refused to pay it, pretending that every thing should go free, they brought forward as an argument, that if they were to export cattle from here, they would pay no duty on it and that they intended to invest the proceeds of the sale of these goods in cattle there, which amounted to the same (as if they had exported cattle), without taking into consideration the profit on these goods. As they saw, that no credit was given to their frivolous assertions, they had recourse to scolding and calumnies, as the enclosed copy of their request will tell you. They carried off their goods and threatened to use other means, which they did in addressing themselves to the Mayors of this City, who again referred them to the Directors of this Department. We think, they will not brag about the reply, which they received; when they perceived, that all their efforts had been in vain, they applied to us in a different manner requesting some favor or at least a reduction of the duties on the merchandise, mentioned in the enclosed list. We have in so far granted it, that we have declared free everything apparently necessary for agricultural pursuits. You will please to pay attention, that the interest of the Company does not suffer beyond our good intentions, when the goods are discharged. Many free people have taken passage on these two ships, the Fortuyn" and the "Jaager," as per enclosed lists; we desire, that you may allot to each according to his capacities and family sufficient quantities of land, where they choose, but not on land reserved by the Exemptions for the Company, as for instance at Pavonia, which the Company bought in for certain reasons. It looks, as if many people will come over by every ship and as we cannot but presume, that the welfare of the country depends on the population, we desire, that you shall accommodate all newcomers as well as possible and above all govern the people with the utmost caution and leniency, for you have now learned by experience, how too much vehemence may draw upon you the hatred of the people. We have had a good deal of trouble, to put these things again into order and are of opinion, that it is better to forgive and forget everything now, than to seek revenge, provided these men will henceforth behave like honest inhabitants and subjects of the Company; if they do not, we have by no means the intention of diminishing your powers in the administration of justice. Upon your and Director Rodenberghs request we send you by these vessels accoutrements, clothing and other requisites for soldiers in New Netherland and Curaçao as per annexed invoice. Please to manage it well, so that we may reap the fruit which we have a right to hope for. According to advices from Dir. Rodenbergh of the 26th of March we may expect, that a large quantity of wood has been collected there and that it shall be brought here by the ship "Hoope," sent there for that purpose. It is also our intention to provide not only New Netherland but also the Island with everything required nor have we been wanting good will to do it, but we have been expecting for some time past some returns from your side, having for that purpose sent you several statements of the sums, paid you for account of the Company, amounting to a considerable total. We have already requested you several times for detailed accounts and remittances and repeat our request herewith. We have observed, that some people try to trade over this route to New England and the English Virginias much to our dislike, for we fear, that we shall suffer loss thereby; nevertheless some important reasons have induced us to give permission to the ship "Jaager" to take goods for Boston, which are specified in the enclosed list. You must look out sharp, that we are not defrauded by these intrigues and communicate to us your opinion, how we can prevent smuggling in all such cases. We desire very much to discover some way, in which we might make arrangements with the English regarding the boundaries: we informed you already of the obstacles, which we had met, and as yet nothing further has been done in this matter, than that Mr. Gerrit Schalph Pietersen has been sent by our government to the Parliament of England, charged among others, as far as we can learn, to bring up this boundary question for discussion and learn, whether they are inclined to treat about it with our government. We shall inform you in due time of what may be done, meanwhile we recommend you to keep up all possible good correspondence with our neighbors. The supercargo of the ship" Fortuyn" is Francis Deckers, a cousin of Mr. van der Iloolck, member of the States-General for the Province of Utrecht and also member of the committee of their High: Might: for all matters concerning the W. I. Company and especially New Netherland. As he is a man very well inclined towards the W. I. Company, we cannot refuse his request, that his cousin should be supercargo of the ship for the outward voyage only and that you should appoint him there to any position under the Company, which may become vacant and for which he is fitted. We consent to his appointment, for we desire to captivate this man's favor by all |