Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise, Prudent and Discreet Lords:
My Lords, yesterday I was informed by Mr. Laers, the Swedish minister, that his wife had run away with Jacop Jongh, and departed by canoe during the night. I immediately wrote to the governor of Maryland and the magistrate in the Sassefras River, requesting that they apprehend the aforesaid persons and inform us if they should come there.
Today I learned from one of our magistrates that Jacop Jongh had an Indian from Meggeckasiouw with him for two or three days. Therefore, we consider it more probable that he will try to follow the route of Captain Vuiler and escape across Long Island. I am convinced that he has reached the Nevesins[1] in the company of Mr. van Gezel.
I recently delivered to the aforesaid Jongh about f200 in merchandise, consisting of blankets, cloth, etc. for the purchase of grain and corn for the garrison. He still owes on a private account from last winter 6 beavers and about f100 in sewant. Last year he traded about 200 skipples of corn for Mr. d'Hinojosse, which was the same year he had agreed to trade for us.
My Lords, the Indian chiefs, who Mr. d'Hinojosse induced to accompany Pieter Alrichs to Maryland about eight days ago, left him during the journey. Nevertheless, Mr. Alrichs continued on and found the governor and council at Colonel Utie's. The aforesaid Alrichs, together with the secretary, Henry Coursey, Mr. Beetman and Mr. Goultsmidt, arrived yesterday evening at New Amstel to discuss the Indian affair. However, I have not been at New Amstel since their arrival so that I have not spoken to any of them. In any case, I sent our boat down with the request that they come to visit us.
My Lords, I thought it necessary to inform you of the above, whereby I commend you to God's protection, remaining, after wishes for a long life,
Your ever-devoted and faithful servant,Willem Beeckman
In haste, Altena,21 September 1661
[ P.S.: ] My Lords, since there was no Indian to be found here at Altena, I have sent this up with Peter Kock, one our magistrates, in order to hire an Indian from there.[2] I advised him to promise receipt of payment upon returning so that the trip would be expedited.
Your humble servant,Willem Beecqman
[ Addressed: ] Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise, Prudent and very Discreet Lords. My Lords the Director- General and Councillors of New Netherland, Curacao etc., residing in Fort Amsterdam on Manhattan.
By an Indian.
