Document: Letter from John James to Petrus Stuyvesant

Ever honored Sir.

After the remembrance of our submission and humble respects; it hath pleased God after A Sickly and sad Summer to give vs A seasonable and comfortable Autumne, wherewith we haue beene (thorow mercy) refreshed ourselues and haue gained strength of God, soe that we have beene necessarily Imployed in getting winter foode for our Cattell and thereby haue something prolonged our wonted time of chasing Magistrates, for the which wee hope your honor will hold vs Excused: And now according to our Accustomed manner: we haue voted and putt vpon denomination our former Magistrate Mr. Richard Gildersleue, and with him William Schadden, Robert Forman and Henry Persall. They are all of them knowing-men, of honest life and good integrity, therefore we desire your honnor to choose & appoint twoe of them to be our Magistrates And we shall willingly accept of them, And allways according to our duty & obedience, wee shall pray vnto the Most high God, to bless and presearue your honor with much health wth happines And prosperity in all your Noble designe Where with wee humbly take our leave.

Hemstead this 27th Nov. 1658Stilo Nouo.

[ ADDRESSED: ]

To the Rt. honorable Peter Steuensant Gouemor and Capt. Generall of the Newnetherlands resident att Mannatans.

[ ENDORSED: ]

Hempsteed to Go. Stuyvesant Nov. 1658

[ MARGINAL NOTE: ]

1658, 9 December.Were selected: Mr. Gildersleve; Mr. Forman.

John James