Document: Message from the chiefs of Achkinkeshacky and Mochgeychkonck respecting a ransom for prisoners in their hands

[ 26 October 1655 ]

[ Today, the 26th of October, Captain Adriaen Post and Claes Jansen ] de Ruyter [ came over ] from Poul[ us Hook and reported that ] they had had [ a conference ] there with the chief of [ Achkinkeshaky and his people ] and the Indians of M[ ochgeychkonk ] [1] They declare on their word of honor [ to the council and relate ] that the aforesaid chief Pennekech had, [ in the name of the ] other Indians, directed them to give notice and request of the [ director general that if [his honor would be pleased ] to send him and his company 75 lbs. of gunpowder in three kegs and [ 40 bars ] of lead, either as a ransom or gift, that they would return the 28 souls at once.

The honorable director general and councilors and burgomasters of the city having heard the report of the aforesaid persons, and having further seriously considered the hardship of the captured Christians, whose imprisonment has tied our hands, have resolved, with unanimous advice and consent (although regretfully), for the preservation of the prisoners, and in the hope of recovering the remaining prisoners, to give the Indians, as there is presently no other means to recover the prisoners, and all the more so because they are scattered among the Indians here and there far into the interior, the requested lead and gunpowder as ransom for the prisoners, and to demonstrate to them our sincere intentions, it is resolved to send them an additional 35 lbs. of gunpowder and 10 staves of lead over and above the ransom as a gift. Ady ut supra.

Present the honorable director general, the honorable La Montagne, and the fiscal Tienhoven.[2]

Rights: This translation is provided for education and research purposes, courtesy of the  New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections, Mutual Cultural Heritage Project. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user. For additional information see our Copyright and Use Statement Source: New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809. Volume 6.