Document: Letter from Petrus Stuyvesant to the magistrates of Heemstede

The Magistraats off Heemstead. Lovinge friendes.

Before me departure from jou ij was in hoopes off a good act amongst you both in settelinge off mister Dentons continuance and the agrement off the tents for the present year. Butt Beyinge here Back and reddy for me retume Both ware Breack off by sum turbelent spiritts iff in the nemie off the whole or any isjet jgnorant; butt nott satisfeyt therefore you may be pleased to understand by this presents that wee asj ett expect the tents uppon the field for the year present and according to the value off that for the year past this therefore is ordered By this present thatt before the gatheringe off the Cropjou sal give tymely noticij thatt wee may send a man for to take up waht is the patroons due, and for the ministry: you al doe know that mister Robbert Fordam some tymes minister in the town off Heemsted did leave the place and alsoo the exercyse of the ministery wythout our Consent of Knowlidge and for no or littel reasons therefore wij ken nott admitt him in such a manner of comminge againe. Soe after me love commendinge you al into the protection off the Almighty ij rest.

Weeras the inhabitances off Rustdurp a villadjage uppon the Long Island in a letter off complandt doe informe us that thyre neighbours off Heemstead have tacken up and pounded sixty or there abouts off thyr cattel for predendet damage donne as they say in there unfenced fields and alsoo more and greater damage may happen and accrew by restraining and pundinge such a number off cattel-ijt is therefore ofdered by this presents that uppon sejt heeroff the pounded cattell sal be redelyvered att the least the Mylch kouwes and worcken oxes and thatt the magystraats ofte town off Heemstead sal make theyre apyrence before us to give reasons for such doejings and sum off the inhabitances off the aforesayed towne to answer theyre demandings and Reasons; against Weensday next the 25 off this instant. Acted and given under our_hand and seal. New Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 23rd of July 1657.

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