for raising them and are led to think, that little attention is paid to them or that they are killed too soon: you will know better, what the reasons are.

We receive here frequent warnings concerning the exportation of horses from Curaçao and Aruba to the Caribean Islands; you will therefore warn Rodenburgh by every opportunity to take heed or else we shall be forced to adopt other measures.

You think, we have done well in treating with Jean Dillan about establishing a colony at Curaçao; we have now granted a like privilege to a Portuguese, Joseph Nunes de Fonseca, alias David Nassi, agreeable to the here-enclosed patent, who is preparing to go there with a large number of people. Time must show, whether we shall succeed well with this nation: they are a crafty and generally treacherous people, in whom therefore not too much confidence must be placed.

The contract projected by Justus van de Venne has surprised us very much and we consider ourselves very fortunate, because it has fallen into your hands: it will show you, how such persons try to deal with the Company: we must oppose such contracts by all available means and therefore consider it necessary to purchase from the savages or natives as much land as can be obtained and thereby prevent all such dangerous dealings by private parties.

Your journey to the South River and what has passed there between the Swedes and you, has surprised us, as you had not previously mentioned this intention; God grant that what you have done may turn out for the best; we cannot express our opinion of it, before we have not heard, how the complaints of the Swedish Governor will be received by the Queen: we hope that the proofs of our previous possession will be accepted as sufficient: but we see little probability nor any opportunity to make here arrangements with the Swedes for settling the boundary question: nor can we say much, whether the demolition of Fort Nassau was a very prudent act, as indeed nobody could claim it and time must show, whether the Swedes will so understand it in regard to the erection of the new Fort, called Casemirus; we are in the dark as to the reasons, why the fort has been given this name; it must be guarded with care, that it may not be taken by surprise: we do not know, whether it is very necessary to make any fortifications opposite to the Fort on the east side of the river and must leave this to your discretion, but in connection with this matter we also must warn you to take good care, that no strongholds be erected upon some islands near the Manhattans by people, who have had the audacity of instigating the savages against us: you will inquire into this matter closely and finding it confirmed as true proceed against these people as their acts deserve; we charge you however to use the utmost discretion in all your proceedings, so that you may answer for them to everybody.

We have no objections to the provisional agreement with the English about the boundaries and the envoys, who have gone to England, have been instructed to come to an agreement about it with the government there, if possible; but the relations between England and this country are by no means pleasant; God grant they may not result in extreme measures. Under these circumstances it is absolutely necessary, that you be well on your guard, for we fear, the English of New England may pick a quarrel with us: we hope for the best and that, even if England and our government should have a misunderstanding, they will not refer to this question. We judge it would be advisable to make with them some kind of provisional agreement in form of a league against all nations, who might intend to do harm to or attack either of us there; it must provide in one clause for a vote upon all resolutions. To obviate this and other unavoidable difficulties we deemed it necessary, to send you again by this ship some soldiers and ammunition according to the enclosed statement. We have learned with pleasure, that the fort at New Amsterdam is in good

condition; should it require any repairs, you must see to them without delay; the same rule applies to the other forts, especially Fort Orange.

There comes on board the ship "Romeyn" as supercargo a person by name of Frederick Alkes, who has been schoolmaster at Hoorn; he writes a good hand, but we know little else about him; he is recommended by a man of quality and requested, that he might be allowed to remain there, if he liked the country. This board gave him such permission, although it is somewhat against our common custom; but sometimes we cannot well refuse such demands and if his habits are as good as his penmanship and a schoolmaster is wanted, then you might consider him, but let him first be thoroughly tested, for we have noticed, that the climate over there does not improve people's characters, especially when the heads of the administration do not set a good example to the community. We hear a number of complaints from people coming thence against the Fiscal and about his drunkenness and other things: should he continue on this path, we would feel compelled to act as we shall think fit.

As Vice-Director Lucas Rodenburgh complains bitterly over the loss of the barge, which they used in the trade to Aruba and Bonairo and in consequence of which he has no vessel whatever, we had tried to have a sloop built here of sufficient size, with a deck; but upon consultation with the skipper Adrian Blommart and others, who say, that it could be done there with less trouble and expense, for it would cost much to bring this sloop over, we have concluded, that you should have such a sloop or any other vessel, considered by you suitable for the above purpose, made ready there, taking what is necessary for it from the present shipment.

At your urgent request for another preacher, whom you desire, if possible, able to preach in the English language, we have made every effort and at last as if sent by the Lord Domine Samuel Dries, a bachelor of about 40 years, has made his appearance, who on account of the perturbances in England,* where he had been preaching and was born of Dutch parents,* has retreated from there. He has the reputation of being a very pious man and possessed of great gifts, is able to preach in both languages, English and Dutch and if necessary even in French. He is said to be of a very peaceful disposition and agreeable conversation, so that we are confident, the community will be pleased with him and that he will be a great instrument for the propagation of God's holy word and glory, also a fit assistant to the old gentleman, D° Megapolensis. We have allowed him a salary of fl 100 per month and fl 250 a year for subsistence and as he is unmarried, we have thought, it might not be inconvenient, if he boarded with Johan de la Montagnie; but we do not wish to press such an arrangement upon either and propose it only from pure affection.

As you now will have learned, that we do our very best to promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of New Netherland, we urge you most earnestly to use all proper and suitable measures in endeavoring to find means for defraying a part of all these extraordinary expenses: we think the community, whom we try to accommodate in every thing, should make an effort to assist their ministers and supply their wants, for if everything were to remain upon our shoulders, we might at last find the burden too heavy.

Upon your recommendation we had an eye upon D' Grasmeer, but found his affairs with the reverend Synod so far from being settled, that he cannot sail this year: it is true, the charges against him have been satisfactorily disposed of by the Classis of Alckmaer, but the Synod had to approve of this decision and it will not sit until next August: then the time to sail this year will have passed; the good man is much inconvenienced by it, but it is considered best for him on all sides that

* These words are omitted in the copy of this letter, above referred. — B. F.

he should submit in everything to the ordinances of the church of this country and as God is a God of order, we doubt not that he will take care of him and all pious people.

We enclose an account of a lot of logwood, part of which one Jan Jansen Huyssen has sold at Bonairo, another part he has given as a present to skippers and others: Lucas Rodenburgh must be sharply written to about this matter and the seller must be called upon for the amounts, which he received for it.

We alluded above to the contest about to arise between Baron Hendrick van der Capelle and Cornelis van Werckhoven concerning the territory of the Nieuesinck and Raritans; this matter has gone so far already, that they have entered written protests against each others; the Honorable Mr. Werckhoven has addressed himself to us and requested, that he should be supported in the privileges granted by us, which we shall find ourselves obliged to sustain as far as possible, that so improper purchases of land from the savages may henceforth be prevented; the said Werckhoven has also petitioned their High: Might: for the above reasons and we expect to see now shortly, what rules shall be established in these matters.

Undoubtedly much trouble will again arise out of this matter and the evil-minded will endeavor to throw the blame for all the disorder upon the Directors, notwithstanding that we have in this case clear proof, that some of the law-makers are the cause of it. Time must show, what the result will be.

Rev. Samuel Drisius presented himself. He was formerly pastor in England, but educated hy German parents and in the German tongue. He declared his readiness to be employed as minister in New Netherland. Inasmuch as the Lords Directors greatly desired a minister, who, besides the Dutch, could also preach in English, it was resolved that next Monday a trial should be made as to his German (Dutch) pronunciation. Subsequently, further negotiations could be held with his Reverence.

Meeting of March 11, 1652.

Rev. Matthias Musruis in the chair.

In accordance with the previous resolution, a trial was made last Monday of the gifts bestowed by God on Rev. Samuel Driesch for preaching in Dutch. These were found not only sufficient, but to the great satisfaction of the brethren, were very agreeable and edifying: His Reverence is considered to be a very desirable person to serve the Church of God in New Netherland. He has also declared his willingness to go, and as two vessels are about to sail, it is found necessary to call a meeting of Classis for next Monday, March 18th.

* From "Amsterdam Correspondence" in the Library of the Seminary of the Reformed Church in America, New Brunswick, N. J., kindly furnished by Rev. E. T. Corwin, of Millstone, N. J.

LETTER OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE W. I. COMPANY TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE MANHATTANS: CONCESSIONS MADE: EMIGRATION: ORPHANS: AFRICAN SLAVE-TRADE.

To the Commonalty at the Manathans.

Honest, Pious, Dear, Faithful.

We wrote you last on the 224 of March of last year and send you copy of that letter herewith, that you may fully assure yourselves of our good intentions regarding your community and the country there; the more so, as we were much surprised to learn by your letter of the 29th of September, that so evil-minded persons are to be found there, who have the impudence to say, these letters were written by a few of the Directors, because they are signed only by two. We now tell you, that this has always been the custom of this board; yet to convince you still more and to stop the lying tongues of those treacherous mutineers, these copies will be signed by all the Directors now in office, also this letter; we warn you however, that it will not be done in future and you most give us full credence to all letters arriving there signed by two Directors, as if they were signed by all, for the above stated reason.

In answer to your requests concerning divers matters, we will briefly say, that we endeavor always to help with the best of our abilities in carrying out any reasonable proposition. Above all be assured, that we direct herewith the honble Director and Council not to collect henceforth the duty of 8 per cent on tobacco grown there; we are further busy here soliciting the supreme government, that the import duty here upon tobacco grown in New Netherland may also be abolished, which would be a great benefit for the planters there: we shall in due time inform yon, what success we have had with our solicitations. We try to discover means by which to prevent the usurious trade carried on there to the disadvantage of the community, but for want of sufficient means it is as yet impossible to break it up entirely: still with these ships as large a quantity of provisions are sent to his Honor the Director, for the benefit of the community as our funds allowed us to purchase here: we intend to continue making such shipments.

As to your request, that one or two ships might be chartered for account of your community in order to provide yourselves in this way with farm-laborers and other young people to be employed in cultivating the land; we can only presume, that it is the intention of the community to enjoy by those means the benefits, now reaped by private parties and shipowners from the passage and subsistence money paid by people going to New Netherland, who are now charged fl 50 per head; this has kept back many, who could not bear the expense and to obviate it the hone Regents of this city have made an order, that all persons of small means shall be carried over by the skippers for fl 30: many have taken advantage of this order and go over in these ships. Pursuant to your plan we had already tried to charter one or two ships and offered fl 8000 for the charter of one of 200 lasts; but as the provisioning of 100 to 150 persons, taking passage, would cost a large sum, which made us as somewhat uneasy on your account, we feared, that your hopes of profits would not be realized in that way; especially as something has occurred here between England and our government, which has brought them both into hostile position to each other; so that everybody began to be careful and it was apparent that but very small cargoes of merchandise would be shipped across the ocean. Besides another proposition was made by the city, offering to turn over to us 150 boys and girls from the poor-houses to be taken to New Netherland free of expense, provided we would apprentice them there to good masters for four years, during which time they were to receive clothing and board or if they chose fl 60 annually for clothing

themselves. In this manner we thought your request might be fulfilled in the safest and most expedient way, but the reasons, why this plan cannot be carried out fully, will be explained to you by his Honor, the Director. In order that you may be still more convinced of our good will towards your community, we consent, that you may send ships to the coast of Angola and Africa to fetch thence as many negroes as you will require for agricultural purposes, subject to the conditions and rules sent herewith to the Director. We consign to him also some ammunition, powder, lead and other things, directing him to sell at a fair price to the burghers and community as much, as each shall need for his defense, for we are resolved to stop if possible the unlimited contraband trade in these goods carried on by private parties and thus to protect our good inhabitants against violence and molestation: we know very well that there is a number of restless mutineers who not satisfied with trying to mislead the community there, are also stirring up an agitation here in the name of the community. Your letters and protests however will be sufficient to put them to shame. We trust the good community will on their side always persist in doing their duty towards their patroons, as we on our side shall at all times be willing to let the community rule in everything reasonable and maintain them in everything lawful, as you car ascertain without harboring any doubt from the orders sent herewith to the Director an Council.

Meanwhile we send you our greeting etc.
Amsterdam, 4th of April 1652.

LETTER FROM THE SAME TO THE MAGISTRATES OF HEMPSTEAD AND GRAVESEND: ON SIMI

Honorable, Pious, Dear, Faithful.

TOPICS.

Our last letter to you was written on the 224 of March of last year, since which time we received yours of the 25th of September 1651. We have learned by it of your cont. complaints against the illicit trade with powder and lead, by which private parties provi savages in too great an abundance, so that grown insolent the latter cause much vexation good inhabitants by stealing their cattle and also murdering some persons named by his 1 the Director. We can only presume, that such boldness is the result of the misdemeanors o mutineers, belonging to our nation, who appear to persuade these savages, that their evi! will not be punished: the government here and especially the Directors of this Compan quite a different intention; therefore we think it necessary to assure you, that we are givin orders in regard to the one and the other matter, as to make you feel, that your complain touched our hearts. We send for this purpose herewith placats directed against those, t you refer in your first complaint, for we do not wish that any private parties shall bring t powder or lead or other kind of ammunition under the penalty stated in the placat: send every year to the Director such a quantity of it, as we shall consider necessary to be our inhabitants for their defense or in hunting and herewith we order him to provide what you require.

As to the second point, secret instructions are sent to the Director and Council government in an emergency: if therefore any trouble befal you or violence be done to