We demanded also that t'le Noble Lords Regent should send the Lutiieran Miiiister back in the same ship in wliich he arrived inasmuch as lie came liitlier witiiout tlie consent of tlie Noble Directors, in order to put a stop to their work wliich they seem to intend to push forward with a hard Lutheran pate in despite and opposition of tlie Regents ; for we suspect tliat he came to see if he will be permitted and suffered here, and to found other progress thereupon. But we know not what we shall accomplish lie rein.

Last year Dominie Gideon Schaats wrote to your Reverences concerning the congregation in Renselaers and BeverWyck, as he also sliall again do. The condition of the congregation there is most favorable ; it grows stronger apace so as to be almost as strong as we are here at Manhatan. They built last year a handsome preaching house.

STATE OF RELIGION. 10b

On the south River it has been hither tcf very poorly, as regards Rehgion and the Church. P' Because we liad there but one little fort, and therein but one commissary witli 10 or 12 men in the Companys service, merely for the purpose of carry on some trade with the Indians. 2'^'iy In the year 1651 the fort, called Nassouw was abandoned and razed, and another named Casimir erected somewhat lower and more toward the Sea, and somewliat better garrisoned, and strengthened by divers freemen who commenced a village.

But t!ie Swedes increasing in numbers troubled & oppressed our people daily, and after they had taken Fort Casimir froKi us, tliey harrassed & vexed our nation so sorely that the South river was at once abandoned. But our people retook that F(jrt Casimir again in the year 1655. It was provided with a riglit strung garrison of our people and contained divers free people there with dwellings.