Document: Letter from the director and council to the magistrates of Gravesend

[ It having been resolved by a majority ] of votes, [ to write regarding the ] foregoing to the people of Gravesande, this following letter was sent [ to them ] today both in Dutch and English:

Dear honorable and trusted [ friends ],

Whereas last evening we received a certain letter from the Dutch nation residing in the village of Gravesande, in which they informed us of their fears of being attacked by the barbarous Indians in these dangerous circumstances, which fears seem to stem from a certain letter that Lieutenant Tomas Wheeler from Westchester was supposed to have written to your honors, advising the English and Dutch to separate from one another. Whether this is still the case or not, we are unaware; in any event, we consider the proposal of separation based only on rumors or a simple letter to be completely unfounded and unadvisable. Therefore, we are writing to both your honors as well as to the Dutch nation that they remain together and maintain a good lookout with one another, and be on their guard. In case your honors should decide that some soldiers are necessary for your greater security, we shall not neglect to send your honors assistance, as circumstances allow. In addition, this is to request that your honors commission two persons from the magistrates and send them here in order to help us set matters straight regarding the village’s present emergency, and to report to us in more detail about the common rumors and the letter of Tomas Wheeler. As tomorrow is the Sabbath, we shall expect your honors’ this coming Monday, relying upon which we commend your honors to the protection of God and remain, ady ut supra,

Your honors’ good friends, the director general and councilors of New Netherland(was signed) P. Stuyvesant.

The address was: Dear honorable and trusted [ friends ], the magistrates and general inhabitants of the village of Gravesande.