Document: Letter from Director Stuyvesant to capt. Brian Nuton and serjt. Velthuysen

Capt. Brian Nuton, this serves to inform your honor that 3 to 4 canoes with Indians have been seen near the Hellegadt on Long Island, who have taken Pieter Schoorsteenveger prisoner; therefore, your honor should be on guard and you should keep your soldiers close together; and whereas we have been informed that the freemen, contrary to my orders, are not staying together but rather each is running here and there to his own plantation, [ you must once more, ] for the last time, warn [ them that they take care ] and keep together, according to my order, or that I shall be obliged to take other measures herein. And your honor is hereby ordered to keep his soldiers together and keep a good watch. Farewell. Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland. Ady ut supra.

(It was addressed:) To the Valiant and Pious Brian Nuton, Captain Lieutenant, presently in Amesfoort.

13 October 1655.

A letter of the same contents was also written to the sergeant, Nicolaes Velthuysen, presently in Midwout, however, what follows was added to it:

Whereas we have been informed that Jan Schoenmaaker was acting up last night and wants to have everything his own way, your honor hereby ordered to install Hegeman in his place next to Jan Strijcker, and do your best with the two of them. Ady ut supra.[1]