Document: Letter from William Beeckman to director Stuyvesant

Noble, Honorable, most Esteemed and very Prudent Lord:

Yesterday morning I was summoned by Mr. Alrichs for the purpose of sending you more detailed letters. It was decided to send ten men overland because the road here is claimed to be very unsafe. I then immediately returned to Altena in order to dispatch two soldiers and a letter to you - to which I refer - and sent the same to New Amstel before evening. However, Mr. Alrichs changed his mind, and today sent the soldiers back. They arrived in Altena about an hour before evening and informed me that Mr. Alrichs had hired Captain Jacops' yacht which would set sail before nightfall. I immediately jumped into my canoe and went down there. When I arrived at New Amstel, van Nas and others met me, saying that Mr. Alrichs had changed his mind because so many people could not be spared from the Colony. When I arrived at Mr. Alrichs' place, he explained his reason for reconsidering, saying that it was for security since it has been considered very unsafe.

My Lord, I notice that Messrs. Alrichs and D'inojjossa are very troubled and are afraid of the English. They imagine that they will come shortly and take them over. I simply cannot conceive of this since Maryland does not have the capacity to maintain such a large garrison here. The more I reflect on the matter, the less trouble I find. But, there is no telling what presumptuous people might do. We shall, therefore, expect your customary good council and orders, and shall regard the same diligently, according to duty and oath.

I have still heard nothing from our schout, van Dyck, and the commissary. I believe that if something were to happen to us (God forbid) they would be more of a hinderance to us than a benefit.

I would further remind you of the necessities mentioned in my last letter. Herewith concluding, I commend you and your dear family to the protection of the Almighty, with wishes for continuous health and a prosperous administration. Remaining, Honorable and most Esteemed 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 in New Netherland.

Willem Beeckman