Document: Letter from Director General Stuyvesant to unknown addressee

The greate desire that I have of [ ] friendlie and neighbourlie Compliance w[ ] makes me willing to take any occasio[ ]may in any measure shew forth my readines therein, the which I shall upon all opportunities [ ] in action (as expirssio:) in any thing this place may afforde, and you shall please to write to me about, I shall most willinglie serve you, wee haveing latelie fowre ships arrived oute of holland and more expec[ ]whereby our Countrie is not only well supplied with many necessaries for it selfe but wee may well spare some to our neighbours:

The newes' that they bring is of the 4th of May & what I have is not only by intelligence from my friends in Holland, but likewise by a gente of very good worth that Came in the same ships hove that was a member of the state last [ ] & is that there is not only greate hopes, but an assurance of a friendlie Composure of all differences betwixt Engl: and Holland, & a more neerer & streiter union betwixt both nations then ever, they haveing mutuallie restored all ships that were taken on either side by ress visalia in the Channell, haveing likewise two greate Fleetes ready & is supposed to joyne in our designe, as then there was no divulgation of it, but matters were Carried with greate secresie on either side there being a prohibition from both states that none of theyre subjects uppon greate penalties should write or print any thing against each other.

Sir I have further to acquaint you (and intreate your favourable asistance therein) that some of your Countriemen being desirous to be accommodated with a ship for the transport of theyre tobac; the skipper whereof Just speaking with [ ] waye thereunto, [ ] your selfe and the rest of the honor[ ] mee to I gave him all the incour[ ]ing to [ ] to you in his behalfe, [ ] that what you [ ] lawfull Courte [ ] favour may be [ ] and you would be pleased to doe it and [ ]en his ship into your [ ]tion.

You shall ingage me to be Sir, Your humble servant

Rights: This translation is provided for education and research purposes, courtesy of the  New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections, Mutual Cultural Heritage Project. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user. For additional information see our Copyright and Use Statement Source:New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial administrative correspondence, 1646-1664. Series A1810-78. Volume 11, document 35, side 1.