When oiu* people arrived there, they were busy cleaning up and planting. Before this vessel had left, the harvest was far advanced. It excites little attention if any one [of the Indians] abandon his wife ; in case she have childi-en, they usually follow her. Theii- summers are fine, but the days there are shorter than with us here. The winters are severe, but there is plenty of fuel, as the country is well wooded and it is at the service of whoever wants it.
There is some respect paid to those in authority amongst them ;
but these are no wise richer than others. There is chi^?!'^ always so much ado about them that the chief is feared
and obeyed as L.^ng as he is near, but he must shift for himself like others. There is notliing seen in his house more than in those of the rest.
As regards the prosperity of New Netherland, we learn by
the arrival of the ship whereof Jan May of Hoorn,
emijiration ' was sklppcr, that every thing tliere was in good condiedauu! ' tion. The colony began to advance bravely and
continues in friendship witii the natives. The fur, or other tra(4e, remains in the West India company, others being forbidden to trade there. Rich beavers, otters, martins and foxes are found there. This cargo consists of five hundred otter skins, andfifteen hundred beavers, and a few other things, which were in four parcels, for twenty-eight thousand, some hundred guilders.^
1 Tlie cargfo of the New Netherland, was sold in Amstcnkni on 20th D*c.lb'24.