As before, by request, I betook myself to the house of Maria Goosense. [Van Schaick], and made the aforementioned demand of her; she made the same kind of answer as Soogemackelyck did before. Accordingly I protested against her as before. [Wanting] at

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the house of Arien Appel, and to him made the same demand. He gave for an answer, that he dare not take it upon him. Therefore I protested against him also as before.

Done on the 23d July.

Marcelys Janse.

J. DE DECKERE, 1655.

Worshipful, valiant and most noble Heer general, and right honorable sirs of the council, etc. My lords:

Herewith is sent a copy of a placard, which was referred to in a former letter, but omitted; there goes also with this a copy of certain questions and answers, and the protest made thereto; from which the condition of things may easily be judged and considered, and that without your honors, nothing more can be done by us for the maintenance of order. Therefore we shall await, in respect to this matter, for advice or the pleasure of your arrival. In the meantime, Heer general and right honorable sirs, may Almighty God grant his favor and blessing upon your honors' government.

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We remain your honors' humble servants.

* * [Wanting]. Most noble Heer general and right honorable sirs of the council of New Netherland. My lords: With the expiration of the service of commissaries Jan Verbeeck and Jan Tomasse [Mingael], according to old custom and use, we think it proper to propose to your honors herewith, a double number of persons, to wit: Rut Jacobsen, Andries Herbertsen, Dirk Janse Croon, and Dirk Telyer (?). We request, that you will please out of the said proposed number, or otherwise out of the body of the burgesses, two such persons to elect in place of the aforenamed, according to your honors accustomed wisdom, for the service of the aforesaid office of commissaries, as you shall judge fit and capable. Heer general, we cannot neglect this opportunity to congratulate your honor on your safe and happy voyage and arrival; we protest that the report and tidings of them were very pleasant for us to hear; it gave us occasion to thank Almighty God therefor, and to pray, that He would please more and more be present by His grace in your honors' government, and bless your honors' weighty affairs.

Your honors' willing and trusty servants of the court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck.

30th of July, 1655.

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* [Wanting] nevertheless afterwards being in discourse with Dominie Schaets, and from him understanding that the poor's purse was richly garnished, I particularly requested him in your honors' name, for the remission of some alms, with the recommendation that the church consistory should propose the same, it being a point that the power only depends on them, wherein he was wholly agreed, and consented that it was in the highest degree proper that to the poor with

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In the mean while with this

out distinction, the helping hand should be stretched out; accepting his authority to be used therein with the consistory, and having delivered over to him an extract out of the letter relating to this point, it was allowed by the consistory, and a sum of 200 guilders was sent to the deacons of the city of New Amsterdam. The last matter to dispatch, about the disobedient tapsters, is the most scandalous; some being willing rather to fight to the last drop of blood, and others that those persons should be sent away. explanation (since winter is upon us), we shall wait till the next year. Mons. Rensselaer desires to send a pleasant greeting; he has as yet threshed no corn, on the contrary appears not inclined to do so. Thomas Chambers, alias Clabbort (so it was reported), has indeed several hundred schepels of wheat; but on account of his absence at the Esopus he cannot be spoken to. Wherefore, on his return, the business can be arranged, and a vessel dispatched also. Your worship may look for the grain ordered, or at least a part of it. In place of the 4000 ordered not more than 2050 pantiles were sent, there being no more at present to be had; these were all sold to a third person, who not being able to get them off, threw up the purchase. The matters intrusted to Sander Leendertse [Glen] should have been dispatched by this time, except that in respect to the contemplated blockhouse of necessity to be set up and used, those of the respective courts ordered that it should be delivered again by Sander Leendertse to your honor next spring (God willing), or a contract and agreement be made with him on account thereof. Yesterday the gesondeur, Mr. Oldaten (?), arrived. I wish your honor had given order for more provisions, indeed I see not, who will help us to meat (for all have been called upon), and from what magazine to draw rations for them; and though I well remember that your honor has given recommendation in this respect to the magistrates, and letters have been received by them, and excellent promises made; nevertheless I also observe that they make a mere show of favorable inclination, and a superficial acceptance of short duration; and at once the major part as soon as your honor is lost sight of, will artfully get rid of their * * and thrust the weight upon my neck (who have no remedy therefor or any means in hand); howbeit it is just what commonly happens with such shabby commissaries, having been too long in the world, your honor, not to have experienced the proof thereof at some time; nevertheless I shall do whatever is granted me within my short reach, and whatever shall fall within my capacity. There came here about 300 Mohawks, proposing (ut aiunt) to go to fight against the French Indians, in the meantime a a vessel (?) has set sail and the watch is doubled. What conversation was had with them to-day, your honor can perceive from the annexed document. * [Wanting] the magistrate must allow (although contra mandatum), and thought highly needful to make a demand on the farmer of the excise for one or two hundred guilders, to be used for the purchase of wood and lights for the use of the watch, together with some food for the soldiers as necessity shall demand. The aforesaid Clabbort is here also to-day; on his arrival, I

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1 For an account of Thomas Chambers, see O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, II, 394, note.

2 Thomas Chambers.

spoke to him and asked for the said wheat; C. said, however, he did not believe he had it to spare. I see no chance elsewhere for doing anything. Herewith, worshipful sir, I commend myself to your honor's favor and yourself to that of Almighty God. To conclude, I am sir, etc.

Done 19th of November, 1655.

Propositions made by certain sachems (sachimaes) of the Mohawks before the clerk and those of the respective courts of Fort Orange and the colony of Rensselaerswyck, together with some burghers on the 19th of November, 1655.

Present.-J. De Decker, Rutger Jacobsen, Andries Herpertsen, Volckert Janse (Douwe), J. Bpt Van Rensselaer, A. Van Curler, J. Van Twiller, J. Hap [or Stoll ], H. Jochemse, Philip Pres [Schuyler], etc.

The first proposition was a remembrance of the late affairs, and a renewal of harmony and peace, including the French nation, together with the river Indians at the Esopus. Also they said they should go to war with the French Indians, and suspected the French of being opposed to their treaty, and their promises of being mingled with many lies; hence their request was, that we would keep ourselves quiet and show neutrality. Thereupon they laid down a belt of seewant. The second and third proposals were in form of a complaint, that we did not entertain them in such a manner as they entertained us when visiting their land.

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* [Wanting] that we did not provide the least thing for and mend their guns or other things, except they were asked payment and seewant therefor; with other trifles of the like kind: they held that it was not altogether brotherly. Hereupon they gave two bundles or belts of seewant.

Answer to the aforesaid propositions.

To the first that we were inclined as yet and at all times to maintain with their chiefs a renewal of peace, faithfully and without breach, that we could do nothing having an opposite appearance, and recommended that they on their side should remain faithful, suggesting that with their fights and wars we should not meddle or concern ourselves as being external to, and not concerning us. Hereupon were given them fifteen bars of lead. On the second complaint that we did not entertain and satisfy them as fully as they did us [we answered], that if one two, or three of them came as we did they should be properly lodged and accommodated, but that justice and law provided in this respect that none should be compelled to do so, since every person being free, must earn his own maintenance, and that no one was holden to be another's servant for nothing, that such being the custom among us, no more complaints were to be made about it, as our other brothers did. Whereupon there was laid down and presented to them 25 pounds of gunpowder: all of which with their customary barbarian applause they received and accepted.

Done ut supra.

J. DE DECKER, 1655.

Most noble, worshipful, valiant and right honorable Heer general: Since my last intelligence delivered orally by Andries Herpertsen, touching the offenses of the tapsters, to me recommended and given in charge, that your honor [it being your purpose to come hither] should think it

useless to begin the execution of my order and commission; the written countermand thereof has been received, causing me to doubt and stand in suspense till such time as your honor, in answer to this, shall have further declared his meaning and wishes. In the meantime inasmuch as your honor's written order continues in existence, I request more enlarged commissions, or at least instructions how to conduct myself in case of certain opposition, resistance, or affront which I suspect will happen. Provided your honor will appear with the first open water, you shall not for the present be troubled with any particular complaints, but they shall be postponed till then. I am teased by divers other [persons] and lately have been spoken to and petitioned by the wife of Dyckman, for some aid in her distress, for the settling with certain traders for provisions; I protest that I have no opportunity or means at hand from which to help her. But if your honor forbids any money to be levied from the farmer of the excise, we ourselves shall suffer from the like destitution. Your honor will first make known the same, and give an order to levy fifty, sixty or an hundred guilders out of the farmer's money, for this purpose, or inform me what is to be done. I desire also, that an authentic copy of the instructions for the subaltern bench of justice be made and sent to me. Herewith most noble, etc., Heer general, kissing your hand, I remain your worship's humble servant.

10th January, 1656.

Worshipful, noble, valiant, wise and right honorable Heer general and right honorable sirs of the council:

I

All are here, God be praised, also the thirty Dutchmen, who, as rumor had it at Manhatans, were slaughtered, still live, and the report of the same post or messenger, of the infraction of the peace and the commencement of war between the two nations, is false. Heer general and right honorable council, as nothing material has occurred just now, shall make no further complaints, especially as your worship proposes to arrive by the first open water. Only all are very desirous to understand the condition of things there, the news about which, by the bearer, we shall anxiously await. In the meantime we wish your worship and the right honorable council, a happy and more prosperous new year. We hope on the one hand that with the old year shall cease all sad rumors, adversities and calamities, and on the other hand that with the new year the rod of God's wrath shall also be cast into the fire, and at once with general tranquillity, prosperity and wealth be renewed. To this end we supplicate the Court of Heaven, that the divine Majesty will please to preside as well in the assemblies of the burgomasters, as of your worship and right honorable council, and that He will inspire the spirit of prudence, wisdom and manly valor, and also bless their designs and expeditions with desired prosperity (?) to the glory especially of His holy name, and the welfare of this province and the inhabitants of the same. Herewith Heer general and honorable sirs, we remain your worship's faithful servants of the court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck. 16 January, 1656.

Worshipful, valiant and honorable Heer General and right honorable sirs of the council:

...

On the ninth of September last, your honors' letters with the accompanying placard came to hand, which, having examined, it was thought proper to publish two of them, viz: those for the combination of separate dwellings, and the farming out of the duties on peltries, the third relating to the duties, or payment of the twentieth penny on slaughtered animals, hogs, etc., we have for pregnant reasons withheld, judging it to be unreasonable to publish the same, it being apparent at this conjuncture of time, and on the occasion of excessive expense which the community has incurred or shall hereafter incur by reason of the building of the fort, blockhouse and other works connected with the same, together with the ransoming of prisoners; that nothing less than murmurs, opposition, and resistance would arise; which we trust will be considered and examined by your honors with due deliberation. For the purpose of meeting the aforesaid expense, we convened the community, causing them to stand within, one by one, and inciting them to a free contribution, which ended to our reasonable contentment; upon the unwilling we imposed a certain tax. We have built a blockhouse according to resolution, feet square, and about a man's stature in height; receiving a communication from four qualified supervisors (gemeensmannen) that they desired to have it pulled down, and in place of it, contracted for a house with entablatures (gebinten), the size of which and the reasons for it, the bearers of this, Sander Leendertse [Glen], and Dirck Janse Croon, our assistants and fellow commissaries, will inform your honors and what is pertinent thereto; further recital is therefore unnecessary. Wherefore we are necessitated and forced to find some new source of taxation; though to make the best of it, together with the first [tax] it cannot reach farther than a bare subsistence: we would petition your honors therefore, to solicit and dispose the inhabitants of the city of New Amsterdam to a liberal contribution for the building of a church began here by us, and truly will they less doubt and mistrust this, inasmuch as on the like and other occasions, and especially in regard to the church there, we and our citizens gave and contributed according to our ability. From your communication can easily be perceived the uncertainty of your worship's coming up, which we earnestly request, and esteem the presence of your honor's person and the influence of greater authority highly needful, and especially is it demanded for the introduction of new imposts, and chiefly in reference to opposing factions whose shoulders are unaccustomed to such burdens. Herewith goes a copy of a certain placard against the congregation of certain persons of the Lutheran sect, published and executed by us against the transgressors and disobedient; we will await your earliest approbation, and otherwise request your honors' wise advice, how we must conduct ourselves on such an occasion.

Herewith, Heer general and right honorable sirs, we pray God to prosper and bless your honors' government, and remain your honors' trusty and faithful court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck.

Done at Fort Orange, 10th of March, 1656.

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