Document: Letter from the director-general to the magistrates of Midwout

[Honorable, dear, faithful.[i]

When last with you in Breuckelen at the house of Albert Cornelissen, it was agreed in parting, by mutual] consent and approbation of yourselves [ and the ] other delegates from the villages of Breuckelen and Amesfoort that you should together make an estimate of the funds, out of which the preacher, d o . Polheym, was to be paid and placed beyond complaint, and report it to us, the council, within eight days. As this time has passed and we are not yet informed of the result, we have deemed it necessary to remind you of it through the scholtes and this open letter that you fulfill and observe your promise; otherwise, we shall be compelled by our official position and duties to take steps and give such orders and provide for such means that the minister be duly paid and placed beyond complaint. The said d o . Polheym, (who was then present), complains further of the inconsolable and unfit state of his dwelling house, which has as yet neither ceiling nor wainscoting, so that he and his family are compelled to sleep on the floor. With winter coming, [ this is unbearable and improper, and in order to remedy it we sent you for the ceiling and wainscoting of the house one hundred ] dry pine planks, which [ parties deputed by you ] received and carried to my brother-in-law Backer’s house. I am however, credibly informed now that the said boards have not been used for the purpose intended by us, but that the commissaries disposed of them privately according to their pleasure; for instance (so I am told), 24 have been delivered to the hired man of Jan Evertse, six ordered for benches, seventeen given by Jan Snedicker to the Swartwouts; so that the boards are blown away here and there, while nothing whatsoever is done to repair the minister’s house, which is so urgent to do, the winter being so near at hand. We command therefore herewith that the boards concerned be brought together again and put to their proper use and to no other, as is appropriate and only to that purpose as we had ordered. If you fail herein, we shall take proper measures. Relying thereon we commend you all with the usual greetings to God’s protection and shield, and remain (was signed) P. Stuyvesant. Done at Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 21st of December 1656.