Document: Letter from William Beeckman to director Stuyvesant

Noble, Honorable, highly Esteemed, Wise, Prudent and Discreet Lord:

My Lord, an Indian hired by Mr. d'Hinojosse at New Amstel to go to you has just arrived here. I have asked him to wait a while in order to write this. The uproar at New Amstel has, thank God, subsided, but as of today we still cannot ascertain what nation of Indians murdered the man. These Indians blame the Sinnecus but we Dutch have contrary feelings; also, it cannot be ascertained whether the old reed-house was burned by Indians or whether they had anything to do with the injury to the schout's horse which only received some scratches while running away when the deceased was wounded. Therefore, it is considered very strange here because the deceased (according to Timen Stidden, the surgeon who examined him) had three or four narrow cuts in his chest as if they were made by a thin knife or sword.

Peter Lourens arrived at New Amstel yesterday afternoon.I heard nothing from you; therefore, I take this opportunity to remind you of our garrison's needs. Merchandise is hard to come by here and I shall also need a dozen pairs of shoes for the soldiers before winter.

My Lord, I have to conclude because the Indian wants to leave. Commending you to God's protection, I remain forever.