Noble, Honorable, most Esteemed, Wise and very Prudent Lord:
My Lord, it was with pleasure that I received your commissioners this morning of the 28th, together with a considerable number of soldiers who are most welcome here.
I further understand from them that you have improved somewhat. May Almighty God grant you further strength and enduring health.
Mr. van Ruyven delivered a letter to us from your own hand, addressed to Mr. Alrichs and me, from which we learned of your displeasure that Colonel Utie was not sent up to you. My Lord, I was very much inclined to do so and I proposed the same to Mr. Alrichs and Hynojossa one or twice, even before Utie's arrival. However, they completely disregarded it, claiming that it would result in great misfortune and a riot by the citizens who were almost totally opposed to them. Therefore, we were forced to act in this matter as the opportunity of time and the desolate condition of this place permitted, because we needed a delay.
My Lord, since my last letter with Captain Jacop's yacht, I have learned nothing certain from the Englishmen. Our soldier, whom I had sent there, says that the planters are not at all willing to take part in this enterprise, and that the colonel had gone down river to report on his exploits here to the governor. I hope that your ambassadors will arrange to have this matter referred to our superiors in the fatherland.
Only yesterday morning did I receive a reply from the schout, van Dyck, and the commissary upon my request of the 16th of this month to send me eight or ten men for the security of our fort. They excused themselves from it by saying that you had informed them through Hendrick Huygens that they could remain neutral in time of war; only assisting us against the Indians. I have placed the letter in Mr. van Ruyven's hands.
After cordial greetings with wishes for a long life and prosperous administration, I conclude by commending you and your dear family to God's protection.
Noble, most Esteemed, very Prudent Lord,
[ Addressed: ]
Noble, Honorable, most Esteemed Wise and very Prudent Lord. My Lord Petrus Stuyvesant, Director- General of New Netherland, Curacao etc. Residing in Fort Amsterdam on Manhattan.
Willem Beecqman
