Document: Letter from Mattheus Capito to director Stuyvesant

Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise, Prudent and very Discreet Lord Director-General:

From my previous letter dated 16 September, you will have been sufficiently informed about what Mr. Hinyossa has done concerning the effects of the late Director Aldericks; but after Commissary Beeckman's departure from here to Manhattan, I find that the aforesaid De Hinyossa refuses to turn over the remaining documents, papers and books in order to clear the accounts of the late Mr. Aldericks. To date he has delivered to me, upon my request of 2 October, no more than a list of employees. After comparing the delivered papers with others of a similar nature, it seems clear that he must have more. The reason why he will not hand over the remaining papers, documents etc. I cannot say. The same [ papers ] were requested from him by the secretary, Abraham van Nas, on the 4th of this month. On the 5th following they were once again requested by me in person on behalf of the secretary, Cornelis van Gesel, and upon refusal he protested (because there is no notary here). All this I have informed you of by this Indian sent express, with the respectful petition that you be pleased to order what is best and most expedient or to command him, De Hinyossa, (although he says that he will not be ordered by you and recognizes no one but his superiors in the fatherland) to turn over all the remaining papers and documents, whatever they may be called, in order to close the accounts of the late Director Aldericks, because they can be formally closed only if there are no hindrances, alienation or refusal in delivering them promptly- Otherwise, I request that you consider my recall because I remain here at heavy costs. We trust that you will transmit by this Indian, as soon as possible, your esteemed judgment and assistance.

Mattheus Capito
Petrus Stuyvesant