LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS TO STUYVESANT INCLOSING COPIES OF THE FOREGOING RESOLUTIONS AND PAPERS IN THE CASE OF DAVID PROVOOST. 10th of May 1652. Honorable, Valiant, Pious, Dear and Faithful. This serves as cover to the enclosed copies from our Resolutions, which will inform you of what concessions we have made to several persons; you will govern yourselves accordingly. We send with it a statement drawn up by the bookkeeper of monthly wages, who requires further elucidation upon several points; also a statement concerning the matter of David Provoost; the documents belonging to it have been given to the supercargo Vincent Piekes: you will do well to settle this matter on the basis of these papers as it should be done and to report to us by the returning ships, that we may keep the people, who have long solicited relief, from making complaints. We suspect, that the papers sent us are not carefully collated by the officers of the Company, for in the last documents many and gross mistakes have been discovered; this ought to be corrected. We enclose also a list of the Company's servants, who have embarked and who are, contrary to our intentions and former advices to you, mostly soldiers, because on account of the extensive naval preparations of the country no sailors could be obtained; we hope it will be better next year. Herewith etc etc. Amsterdam, May 10th 1652. The Directors of the West India Company To the Director and Council in New Netherland. LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS TO STUYVESANT IN REGARD TO THE GRANT OF HOG'S ISLAND. Honorable, Valiant, Pious, Dear, Faithful. By our last letter of the 4th of April last past sent by the ship "St. Michiel," which sailed about three weeks ago we advised you in regard to the grant of Varckens (Hogs) Island* to Francis Fyn and trust that you have received it long before this reaches you. Since that time we have obtained some, but no correct information concerning this island and are told, that it would be particularly useful for the Company in the imminent or any future differences with the English being adapted for fortifications to be built thereon to defend our places. As Hendrick Frederick Mansvelt insists upon the grant of the island to his son-in-law Francis Fyn, we have thought fit, as you may learn from the enclosed copy of the resolution, to refer the matter to the Director and Council and trust, that you will have an eye upon the interests of the Company and the shareholders and inform us of your opinion. Herewith etc. Amsterdam, the 10th of May 1652. To Dir. P. Stuyvesant in New Netherland. The Directors of the W. I. Company Department of Amsterdam E. S. SCHULENBORCH * Later called Mannings Island, now Blackwell's Island. B. F. LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL STUYVESANT TO THE COUNCIL ON A CLAIM NOW MADE BY THE INDIANS FOR PAYMENT OF CERTAIN LANDS AT FLATBUSH. it is wilderness and waste should have the sum, on which account my superiors, the Honble Lords-Directors took exception and demanded more proof. Jan Snediger has been pleased to address us in a most unmannnerly way, saying among others, that upon me and mine should [fall] the losses and damages, hereafter [caused] by the natives. These words were shouted so loud, that every one could hear them, which is derogatory not only to our person, but also to our official position and not willing to submit to such insult, we have been compelled to inform your Honors of the occurrence and call for your advice and assistance. As to the matter itself, your Honors know, that shortly before the last murder said Jan Snediger came to me and reported in presence of the Reva Dr. Megapolensis, that some savages had come to see him demanding payment for the land at the Flat Bush but the discussions had about it, our propositions and the consequences resulting from it cannot be known to you. They can be brought under two heads as follows: 1. Is it expedient and advantageous, to uphold the savages in their unmannerly and impudent demand so far, as to buy and pay again upon their threats, the lands which previously they have of their own good will sold, given, ceded and received payment for and which partly have been occupied since? 2. Would it not lead to serious consequences, if it can be proved, that there is in the midst of the purchased land some, which has not been bought, (although we are not quite convinced of it) or what would be the consequences at this conjuncture, if we gave a small gratification to the savages or would their ignoble and insatiable avarice not take advantage of it and consider it as an inducement, to murder more Christians, imagining them to be faint-hearted and threatening a massacre, that later on they may again obtain money and goods for another piece of wild and waste land? Concerning these points I was somewhat in doubt, whether the savages had a better claim to the wild and waste bush, upon which God and nature had grown trees, than any other Christian people and what proof and assurance could be produced, that the savages had a better right and title to this parcel of land, than other savages, even than the greatest Sachem or chief, who a long time ago had sold, given and ceded the whole piece of land and its dependencies to the former officers of the Honble Company and received according to the declaration of the late Director and Council satisfactory payment for it in goods. Nevertheless and notwithstanding it was improper and contrary to all reason and equity, we have agreed for the sake of preventing blame and new troubles to allow the said Jan Snediger, that he may secretly give or promise to the savages a gratification and make a report to us, that we might refund it in time, but we never thought, much less absolutely directed to promise for so small a piece of land so large a sum at the expense of the Company or of our own funds, especially not on so uncertain conditions and terms. To have in the future a better defence before the aforesaid Lords-Directors and to prevent any blame of negligence falling upon us, we refer this purchase to your Honors' knowledge and discretion, that a proper resolution may be drawn up concerning it. New Amsterdam, June 17, 1652. LETTER FROM STEPHEN GOODYEAR TO DIR. STUYVESANT ON GENERAL AFFAIRS. 19th July 1652 Newhaven. Honored and much Esteemed Sr. Beefe 3 sh. 6d. } Yours of the 25th ditto is come to hand, whereby I understand of you' willingnes to trade with mee for such Commodityes & prouisions as thease partes afforde, which I cannot but acknowlidge with thankfulnes & shall I hope answer you' desire to my utmost. I haue at present sent you aboute what quantitye of flesh you haue desired Being 11 barrels of Pork & 13 barrels of Beefe which they have perused soe farr as they conceiued needfull & alsoe wayd some of them being all full & well packet yet differ in theare wayte. I haue sett them at that prise by the Barrell which Ensyne Briantt hath placed in his note given to you' Secretary, & truly St I dare say that 10b. will not be advanced in 100b. at that prise; I haue alsoe sent what mault was Reddy being 32 bushels & haue apoynted you' vessell to take at Milford 2000 of Brend* I would haue laded alsoe wheate & peas but they Informed they would not lade it with the other things at present; soe that your other things shalbee Reddy wth in 14 days. S' I hope Beu's may Come to your hand to satisfie fully that parcell being no greate quantie & I hope hereafter to bee more fitt to take comodityes then at present S' ffor you' Motion for 100 lbs in wampum although I haue a quantity by mee yet it is not such as you desire but I am to-morrow to goe up to Ilarford wheare I expect to Receive 150 lbs & if it bee such as may sute you' desires, I will send it vnto you by the first operturnity. S you Informe that you Respitt the perfecting of our account vntill wee meete which I hope willbe to mutiall satisfaction & that loue and equitie will appeare vpon both parties, only I would haue desired that Mr. Alerton might haue been disingaged who hath preest mee very ernestly about it & saith hee is not willing to haue monement to lye out to such a valew in his ould age; I hope sir it might bee noe detriment to you' selfe & of greate satisfaction to him & nemtisie to my selfe. Thus with my Reale loue to you' selfe & Lady I commit you both to God & Rest Yours to Vse STEPHEN GOOD YEARE. To the full & h'honnored ffrind Peter Stevensant Gouern' Generall of the Dutch Plantations in America These at Manhattoes. ORDINANCE REDUCING THE DUTY ON FURS. (See Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland p 135) * Q mere brani NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CREDITORS AS TO THE MODE OF PAYING THEIR CLAIMS. Whereas the Director General and Council of New Netherland find themselves in behalf of the Honble Company and this Province greatly troubled and hampered by some debts, shown by the last made statement and arising partly out of the great expenses incurred last year at the Southriver, which debts might be set off against and paid by the import duties, and Whereas the Director General and Council would then find themselves deprived of all means, to procure the very necessary commodities and winter provision for the garrison and other servants of the Honble Company. Therefore the Director General and Council have decided and resolved, deeming it best for the maintenance of this Province and the subsistence of the garrison (to keep the same quietly and without mutiny under command), that they will offset one-half of the claims of the largest public creditors against the duties to be paid by them and issue for the other half a debenture payable, with God's help, in the coming year, or receivable for duties or if it is desired for the 8 p. ct. duty on Virginia tobacco imposed in the Fatherland. Thus done in Council of Director General and Council of New Netherland, 4th Aug. 1652. LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS TO STUYVESANT: THE BOUNDARY QUESTION: INDIANS TO BE EMPLOYED IN CASE NEW ENGLAND SHOULD BEGIN HOSTILITIES; FORTIFICATIONS; LETTER BOX FOR NEW NETHERLAND. A° 1652, 6th August. To the Director and Council in New Netherland. Honorable etc. Our last letters sent you by the ships "Hoof van Cleef," "Huys van Breda," "Gelderse Blom" and "St. Michiel," which sailed at different times, were dated 4th and 8th of April and 7th, 10th and 17th of May of this year 1652 replying to your letters of the 21st, 22d and 30th of September 1650, which came by way of Virginia and 21st, 29th and 30th of September 1651 sent direct by the returning ships. Among others we wrote you in the aforesaid letter of April 4th, what we deemed would be most expedient to do in regard to the question of the boundaries with New England and that we had recommended this matter most urgently to their Excies the Ambassadors going from this State to England. From the enclosed extract, of which we hope the original has long ago reached you and which we only send in surplus, you will learn this. The matter now stands thus, that while we had hopes this government would come to an agreement with the Republic of England, we were disappointed in our expectations, for notwithstanding all honest and fair representations the said Republic has, even while our Ambassadors were still there, not hesitated to embargo all ships from whatever place they might come, to take the crews from many, who ignorant of any trouble entered their ports, and to keep them to the greatest detriment of this country, not allowing even the men-of-war of this government coming from Brasil to depart. As our Ambassadors upon their complaints to Parliament could obtain no redress, but were kept in suspense by idle talk, their High Mightinesses have recalled them and since their return, the formidable preparations and equipments, especially by our government made it appear, as if finally war would be declared, the more so as Admiral Tromp with a fleet of gone. The about 100 sails has been seen in the North, where the English Admiral Blake had also Lord our God grant a happy result and humiliate the haughty spirit of the English. This not only unexpected but also undesired rupture with the English has given occasion to some New Netherland merchants here to request, that we should send a despatch boat to you and the community there to give information of these new troubles. Deliberating with them we have agreed, that they should freight a fast sailing galiot on condition that they should remunerate themselves for the voyage by the fees for freight and duties on the goods taken by the said galiot and coming back in the returning ships, each in proportion to his share of the cargo. Although we have no doubt, that pursuant to our previous letters, you will have entered into a league with the New England people or arranged for a closer union with them and that in consequence we shall have nothing to fear from the New England people, we have nevertheless deemed it prudent, under the circumstances, to recommend to you most urgently, that you arm all freemen, soldiers and sailors and fit them for defense, give them proper officers, appoint places of rendez-vous, provide them with ammunition, put the fortifications at New Amsterdam, Orange and Casimir in a good state of defense, to which end we send you for your better protection such war material as the enclosed invoices and lists will show. You must not trust the English there and keep an eye upon them, that you may not be deceived by their sinister machinations under a pretext of probity, as we have been here. If it should happen, which we will not hope, that the New England people take up this matter and try to injure you and our good inhabitants, then we consider it proper and necessary, that you should make use of the Indians who as we learn do not like the English, and devise such measures, that you live there afterwards with as much safety as possible; we suppose, that it will be safest to let all merchants and inhabitants bring their property into the fort as far as feasible and accommodate them in kindness, in order to induce them to remain there and not to return here and thus depopulate the country. It will further be necessary, to surround the villages, at least the larger ones, with palisades and breastworks, that they may resist a sudden attack. Private parties frequently give their letters to this or that sailor or free merchant, which letters to their great disadvantage are often lost through neglect, remaining forgotten in the boxes or because one or the other removes to another place; for their better accommodation we have had a box hung up at the New Warehouse,where we now hold our meetings, into which every one may place his letters at any time to be dispatched by the first ship sailing. We deem it advisable to inform you hereof, that the same may be done in New-Netherland and that the letters put into a bag for greater security be sent here to us, to be delivered upon arrival to those to whom they belong and who usually come to the Warehouse; they will then not be obliged to hunt up the persons entrusted with letters and run after them. During these times of trouble with the English it may be easily happen, that some ill-meaning Englishman residing here or other persons despatch letters to New-Netherland and endeavor to excite your English inhabitants against you and the community. We think it therefore advisable, that you should examine the skipper of the galiot and his people under oath and demand from them all letters entrusted to them and that you inspect all letters going herewith, opening all such, which you deem suspicious, so that in despatching this galiot we may not carry a snake in our own bosom and bring letters to people, who are against us to our damage. One Hugo Claessen comes out on this ship; he has served the Company as supercargo and has now been engaged by us as captain or overseer of the Company's saltworks at Bonairo and of the felling and hewing of logwood and its further cultivation at fl. 20 monthly; also Jan van der |