Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise, Prudent and very Discreet Lords:
I received both of your very welcomed letters on the 21st of this month by way of Samuel Edzal. I hope ours of the 5th and 6th of this month by way of an Indian have also been received, in which I informed you briefly of the arrival of Mr. d'Hinojosse.[1] Your orders are anxiously awaited thereon so that we may prepare for our departure.
Eight or ten days ago d'Hinojosse asked me through Messrs. Kip and Cousturier whether I was inclined to continue living in Fort Altena, and to take on some marshland nearby for cultivation; he would provide me with five or six or more laborers. I declined because I saw no profit in it; moreso, because in the future no freemen would be allowed to trade with the English or the Indians, and the tobacco and fur trade would be reserved for the City. It is said that Mr. d'Hinojosse is ruining half of it, i.e., in trading as well as in farming.
The 50 farm laborers who arrived July aboard the ship, St. Jacop, have been employed in agriculture and at the same time enlisted as soldiers, with a salary of f100 Holland money per year and food by the bellyful (as one says). Six or seven girls were sent along to cook and wash for them. However, those who desire their freedom, as well as those who Mr. d'Hinojosse brought in, are now daily released in order to farm for themselves or to hire themselves out to others. They were also hired out by Mr. d'Hinojosse for as many years as he or the City had agreed to in Holland for 50, 60 or 80 or more guilders, Holland money, per year. The farmers can pay in wheat at 30 stivers per skipple. It is quite similar to the way in which the English handle their servants.
Mr. van Sweringen has not been able to sow more than 25 or 30 skipples of grain with the aforesaid 50 men in the marshland which they have been cultivating now for three years; however, it is somewhat excusable because he has had sick people. I cannot see that much profit can be gained from marshlands in three consecutive years because the expenses for constructing dikes, drainage ditches and sluices, and the cutting of poles run too high; most of all, it requires at least two or three pairs of oxen for each plow in order to break everything up well. Therefore, I say that it is not advisable for either common or poor people to work up marshlands; I prefer good woodland for a quick results.
Mr. d'Hinojosse is to make his residence on Apoquenamin Kil, where he intends to build his major city and establish trade with the English, in addition he has diked in a considerable amount of marshland in the area. I foresee much opposition from the Indians when the lands here and there are claimed, especially, up here on the river.
The fur trade has been given to Mr. Peter Alrichs for which purpose he brought over 200 pieces of duffel, blankets and other goods. Alrichs shall trade at New Amstel; the councillor, Israel, at or near Passajongh; and someone else for the City at the Hoere Kil. In sum, within or after one year and six weeks no private person shall be allowed to trade in either tobacco or furs.
Mr. d'Hinojosse has supposedly agreed to loan this ship and another expected this coming March with tobacco, furs and grain. I can see no possibility to do this at all this year because little tobacco has been grown in Maryland on account of the drought and early frost.
Shortly after returning, his Honor prohibited anyone in the colony, country people as well as villagers, from distilling any brandy or brewing strong beer, whether for sale or for private consumption. His Honor had Mr. Alrichs inform me that I should also forbid brewing and distilling upriver among the Swedes (although there is no one there who makes a living from this occupation). I replied that if the director or council had anything to request or propose, that they should please put it in writing, then I would perform my duty in all equity. However, I heard nothing more and therefore ignored it. It appears that his Honor intends in this way to obtain some grain for export because he is offering in silver, 30 stivers for a skipple of wheat and 15 stivers for a skipple of barley.
I cannot imagine that there is more grain here in the river than they will need for bread in the colony before the new crop.
Goods now coming here from Manhattan will be subject to a tax as well as peltries and tobacco going there.
I still have neither seen nor spoken to Mr. d'Hinojosse. I would like to live elsewhere because I would not be able to trust him when I become a freeman (if you want to beat a dog, it is easy to find a club, according to the proverb). Therefore, if you should find no opportunity to continue me (for which, however, I hope) it will be necessary for me to move my family to Maryland.
I have heard nothing from Jan de Caper.
In closing, I commend you to God's protection, remaining, after wishes for a long life and happy New Year,
