year in the lump and to such an amount, as considering the buildings, land and cattle in the Colony, private settlers would pay in proportion: according to this assessment they must immediately pay their taxes and if they refuse the property of the Colony must be levied upon. 8. You may use the enclosed form for patents and we shall be glad to receive a statement of all the lands successively granted, to be used for our information, as it ought to be. We think more attention ought to have been paid to the obstinate refusal of George Baxter to deliver the letters of the English colonies; we have already written about former proceedings of him and some of his accomplices. If with the power you have, you do not dare to punish a few seditious persons as a warning example to others, then we willingly admit, that we see no way of suppressing evils, which if they remain unpunished gradually increase in strength. 9. We had been informed, that no order existed in the use of weights and measures and had therefore written you on this matter. As now however we have your differing advices, we are at ease about it and have ordered the desired whole and half schepel measures, which you may expect with this letter. 10. We do not know, what has astonished us most: that the newly arrived Swedish troops have endeavored to take our fort on the South river or that our commander has surrendered it so infamously. This cannot be borne and when occasion offers other measures must be adopted, so that we may not fare worse. In order to prove here, when necessary, the impropriety of these proceedings and the violation of the Company's title to their lawful property, you are directed to send us by the first ship not only authenticated copies of the conveyances and title deeds for the lands on the South river bought in 1650, but also all such other authenticated documents and papers as are required for strengthening our hands. 11. The undisturbed peace with England, which we enjoy by the help of God, will easily appease the ruffled mind of the English at the North. Meanwhile we do here our best, to obtain the long desired settlement of the boundary between the Republic and us, at least in conformity with the provisional negotiations of 1650. Their High: Might: have only lately written an urgent letter on this point to their embassadors now in England and as long as no effective or final decision one way or the other has been agreed upon, you can do nothing else, but conform strictly to the terms of the aforesaid provisional agreement. If however some Englishmen make attempts prejudicial to the agreement, as you write, you must oppose them, first by warning them off, then by force; however so only, that no other trouble is caused to the people, then that they are prevented from settling or otherwise taking possession. If you write to their principal men, either the Governor of the nearest places or others and give notice both of our right and the usurpation by their people, you need not fear of being blamed for it here. We leave the further measures to determine the jurisdiction of the Company and when they can be carried out, to your discretion, for you have the best information, as we have already said in our letter of May 18th. 12. We do not know the person, whom you have appointed Schout' of New Amsterdam and trust, that he is a capable man; but as we had proposed somebody else, the respect, due from you to us, demanded it, that you gave some reasons, why he was not appointed as proposed. 13. We are sorry to hear of the murder of Jochem Pietersen Kuyter and are astonished that we do not learn, what you have done to arrest the criminal. It is at present not necessary to go to war with the whole tribe, but other means might be used carrying punishment with them, even if the delinquent cannot be taken. Because if you have asked and solicited (in vain), you must endeavor to capture a member of the same tribe and keep him in prison until the real delinquent has been placed in our hands or at least other and full satisfaction is given. If the matter is passed over without notice, the savages will believe, that every thing is allowed to them and they will be induced to more such deeds. 14. Pleased as we have been to learn, that the Burgomasters and Schepens of New Amsterdam have become convinced of their errors and have promised to be more cautious henceforth, it has nevertheless grieved us, that they could not be persuaded to contribute their share to the general expenses, to which they ought to have induced the community especially in these bad times, setting a good example themselves, because these expenses, the support of the military and the repair of the fortifications, were incurred for their own defense and protection. They are therefore reasonably and fairly bound to bear if not the whole, at least a share of it. If it should happen, against our expectation, that they continue so unreasonably obstinate, you must make use of your authority and proceed as we have said before on the first point, so that they may not longer imagine, that without their consent or approval no contribution can be assessed or levied. 15. Thus far in answer to your aforesaid last letter of the 27th of July; what follows is to give you further information. 16. Among the enclosures received in the said letter we found several depositions concerning the infamous surrender of the Company's fort on the South river, which are neither sworn nor attested. As this is necessary for its justification, we have concluded to write and order you not only to send them over duly authenticated, but also henceforth to do the same with all other depositions concerning the Company's interests, that we can make use of them in due time. 17. The good report, which you have given us of Brian Newton, has induced us to re-appoint him on his petition made to our board to his former charge of Lieutenant. He now goes for this purpose in the "Grote Christoffel" to New Netherland. 18.* 19. We have made here a contract with S'. Henrico Mathias, who is to sail with his ship "Jonge Tobias" to Porto Rico; upon his request we have also given him permission to bring salt from Buenairo to New Netherland on condition of his paying to you such duties as are imposed and on the goods and merchandise, which he may bring besides, 16 per cent., as other traders pay here to the Company for outgoing goods. That you may be better posted in this matter, we send you enclosed the invoice of the cargo of the said ship taken in here. 20** 21. Experience has taught us, that New Netherland tobacco is packed in hogsheads very deceitfully with intention to defraud, for the top layers at both ends are of the best quality, while in the middle the worst and most rotten is packed. The bad condition and rottenness originated through moisture, as the tobacco is packed too damp and not sufficiently cured, which causes the leaves to turn black at the edges and spoils them, while if they retain their yellow color throughout they bring a much higher price. To prevent this the inspectors of tobacco should be directed and strictly held to keep a close watch either by opening the hogsheads at both ends and taking out the tobacco to see whether it is dry and well cured or by some other convenient and safe means, which are considered best; in case of neglect or connivance the inspector must be removed from office. Further, the planters there must be informed, that much depends on the cultivating and curing of the tobacco, for it is considered much stronger and pleasanter, when it is pruned in time, during its growth ; and if after drying it has a good yellow color, it has been found to be valued * Discharge of Barthold Maniken, a soldier in the Company's service. ** Refers to the account of Corners Oesma van Harlem, a former servant of the Company. much higher here, bringing one-half as much more, than the Virginia tobacco. We believe this to be a matter of considerable importance, to which all possible attention ought to be paid: if well taken to heart, it may make the commonwealth and its inhabitants flourishing and wealthy. We deem it therefore necessary, to recommend to you most seriously, to make such rules and see to their enforcement, as the importance of the matter requires. 22. We have already referred above to the damages done to private traders here and the disrespect to us, if contrary to made agreements merchandise is taxed and we have at the same time expressed our opinions and desires; especially, that we by no means understand or wish this to be done there by you without our knowledge. Later, on the 5th of this month, we have resolved upon just and well founded complaints made to us here by traders, that the said newly imposed and collected duties shall be refunded there by you and that this may be done so much sooner and with the least inconvenience to you we shall remit to you now one fourth of the 16 per cent duty (so that we retain here only 12 p. c. for goods shipped to New Netherland,) which fourth part or 4 p. cent., received by you now, together with the four stivers on beavers, shall be specially deposited and used, until the said newly imposed duties have been completely refunded by direct payment, counter charges or other indemnifications; furthermore the loan negotiated and raised by you there must also be liquidated out of these funds, as the enclosed extract from the resolutions, adopted by us in this matter, will tell you. 23. Upon one of these two ships, the "Swarte Arent," goes as supercargo Johan de Decker, whose abilities, we admit, deserve of a better and higher position; for besides being a well conducted man, experienced in business, having served faithfully for some years as procureur (state's attorney) and notary at Schiedam, he is a young man of sound judgment and writes a neat and manly style. You may try him and employ him provisionally in the office or in some other place, for we have concluded, that he shall remain there in the Company's service, recommending that upon the first occasion offering you give to the said Decker a proper and decent appointment, for we are confident that the Company and you will be benefitted by his good and faithful services. 24. Whereas some time ago and again now great complaints have been made concerning the delivery of private letters coming thence, which are often kept undelivered two or three weeks or lost entirely to the great disadvantage of private traders and others, therefore we direct you herewith to have a box or chest made there, in which the said letters are to be collected and then to give them, well secured in one package to the supercargo, whenever a ship sails, with orders to hand them to us on arrival here, so that the people can quickly receive them. 25. As passenger of the ship" Grote Christoffel" comes over a freeman, Jean Paul Jacquet with his family; as he does not know any one there and intends to engage in farming, we could not upon his request refuse him a letter of recommendation, the more so as he has served the Company in Brasil for many years. We desire you therefore to assist him as much as possible without prejudice to the Company and after selecting a convenient place to give him as much land under the usual conditions, as he shall be able to cultivate. 26. After closing and dispatching the duplicate of this letter by the "Swarte Arent," we have upon the request of some private traders, Jan Sweerts and Dirck Pietersen Wittepaert, and in consideration of the promotion of population and agriculture in New Netherland, given permission and consented, that with their ship, the "Wittepaert," they may sail to the coast of Africa and trade there for negro slaves to carry to New Netherland and sell to the inhabitants, on condition, that they pay to the Company here for the goods and proceeds from their sale of slaves, brought back here in the same ship, the legal dues or, if the Company prefers it, the usual tonnage fees pursuant to the rules for trade to the coast of Africa. The enclosed extract from our resolutions of the 19th inst. gives you further information. 27. The invoices and bills of lading of goods and merchandise shipped in the "Grote Christoffel" by private traders is here enclosed. The Fiscal is herewith directed to keep a good watch, when this ship discharges her cargo, that the Company may not be defrauded of her dues. Herewith etc etc Amsterdam, 23d of Novbr, 1654. The Directors of the W. I. Company Department of Amsterdam. 28. We enclose the muster-roll of the soldiers, coming over in the "Grote Christoffel." We have made great endeavors to obtain a larger number, but could not succeed on account of the recruiting by the East India Company. You will take care and direct, that the accounts of such as come with their wives and children are duly debited with the passage money of their families, besides their arms and two months' pay paid in advance, for the Company, as you know, has to pay the passage for these women and children here. Besides a master carpenter, a gunner and a boatswain, we send you also in the said ship a quantity of pioneers' and other tools, as per invoice. By order of the said Directors To the Honble Petrus Stuyvesant Director and Council in New Netherland. A. B. DE DECKER, Jun. REMONSTRANCE OF THE SCHEPENS OF NEW AMSTERDAM AGAINST BEING DEPRIVED OF THE To the Noble, Very Worshipful, Honorable Show with all due reverence and submission the present Schepens of this City of New Amsterdam: Whereas they have learned from affixed handbills, that your Honble Worships intend to let by public auction on the 25th of November next to the highest bidder the Tavernkeepers' Excise on wines and beer within this City, Therefore they, the undersigned, beg leave to remind your Honble Worships, that by a letter from the Noble Lords-Directors, Department of Amsterdam, Masters and Patroons of this Province, the excise in this City was conceded to the City. Hence we submitted to your Honble Worships several documents on the 31st August, wherein we made such promises, that we were entitled to hope, everything would be settled to our mutual satisfaction. As yet we have received no answer, so that we have not been able to do one thing or the other, and we trust that your Honble Worships will not deprive the City of the revenue from the aforesaid Excise, conceded and granted to us by the Lords-Patroons. If however your Honble Worships should require funds, it would be, in our humble opinion, preferable to levy for them on the country generally, but not on this City alone. We refer this matter to your Honble Worships' wise discretion and commend your Honble Worships to the gracious protection of God, remaining Thus done at our session in the City Hall at New-Amsterdam, November 23d 1654. Your Honble Worships' humble servants P. L. VAN DER GRIFT, WILH. BEECKMAN, The substance of the foregoing request has been sufficiently answered by the reply to their request, entered above, therefore no further reply to this is necessary. RESOLUTIONS TO LET THE CITY EXCISE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, ALSO THE EXCISE FOR BREUCKLEN, MIDWOUT AND ADJACENT PLACES. It is resolved by the Council: Whereas there are no bidders come at present, the Tavernkeepers' Excise on beer and wines to be consumed in this City during the next year should be let publicly to the highest bidder on next Monday at the house of Sergeant Daniel Litschoe and this is to be made public by handbills. New-Amsterdam, November 25th 1654. It is resolved by the Council, to let publicly at the Ferry at the first opportunity to the highest bidder the excise on wines and beer in the village of Breucklen, Midwout, Amersfoort and adjacent places, the Honble Director-General and High Council being induced thereto by important reasons. Thus done etc New Amsterdam, Novbr 25th 1654. P. STUYVESANT. Deed for a house, BARN, AND 25 MORGENS OF LAND IN FLATBUSH, OTHERWISE CALLED MIDWOUT, L. I. This day, date underwritten, I, Dirck Jansen, have sold, as in the presence of the underwritten witnesses I declare for myself and my descendants, to have sold, to the Secretary Cornelis van Ruyven, without persuasion or inducement on the part of anyone my tract of land situate in Flatbush, otherwise called Midwout, containing 25 morgens, or more, as it shall be determined by the survey, and so much meadow as shall be allowed to each lot, together with all that is at present planted thereon and is fastened by earth and nail, viz: a house and barn, as at present can be seen, and that free and unincumbered, without and charge standing thereon or accruing, save the Lord's right. For the purchase of said tract of land with the buildings, I have agreed on the sum of fl. 525, say five hundred and twenty-five guilders, payable in the following installments: two hundred and twenty-five guilders down; half in merchantable goods, and the other half, one half in beavers and one half in good wampum or silver money; the remaining 300 guilders next May or June, |