Document: Letter from William Beeckman to director Stuyvesant

Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise and Prudent Lords:

My Lord, when I arrived in New Amstel today, I learned that Mr. d'Hinojosse had delayed sending an Indian. This shall then serve to inform you that I have been informed that Mr. d'Hinojosse has supposedly said that he will not tolerate me here this winter; therefore, I want to protest to you about the impossibility of a departure during the winter with my large family and the movement of livestock necessary for sustenance.

May you be pleased to bring these matters to his attention so that I might remain in my lodgings until a more favorable opportunity.

I hope that you will be able to find some other employment for me elsewhere. Whereby I commend you and your loved ones to God's protection, remaining, after cordial greetings,

Your very devoted and faithful servant,Willem Beeckman

In haste. New Amstel,6 December 1663.

[ P.S.: ] My Lord, I have opened this in order to write the following; it is a fact that I will not be able to maintain myself as a freeman at Manhattan with my large and burdensome family; therefore, I have decided (in case you should have no opportunity to employ me, which I, however, earnestly desire because I would not gladly leave my country) to move to the upper district of Maryland near Augustyn Heermans. I have decided that I could not live here on the river as a freeman because d'Hinojosse would allow me no peace. Therefore, I humbly request that you take me in your paternal care and offer me advise.

Whereby I commend you to God's protection, remaining, after wishes for a long life and prosperous administration.