[Translated from the Dutch.]

Anno 1656, 29'h Decemb"^ Having received our instructions from the Heer General we rowed out with the boat of theHon^'® Company's ship from before Fort Amsterdam on the 30 ditto, about 7 O'clock in the morning to proceed on our journey to Oostdorp, accompanied by Claes Bordingh as pilot, as the Companys Skipper was never through Hell-gate, and the Skipper of the Company's bark and a Sailor to row us thither

Manhattan Island being passed, our sailors said the tide was ebb ; that they could perceive it in the rowing. Hell-gate being neared in the meanwhile, we found indeed by the strong current which ran through it that the tide was ebbing and tliat our people had not well calculated the tide. We were, therefore, obliged if we would prosecute our journey, to await the Tide on this side Hell-gate ; for we still hoped to arrive betimes in the evening at Oostdorp and to accomplish our Mission, and to row back with the return tide in the night from tliere to the Manhatans so as to be home on Sunday, but we found oiu'selves sorely deceived in our expectation, as appears by the sequel --

Having gone ashore during the ebbing of the tide, on this side of Hell-gate where William Hallet's house & plantation formerly stood, which were laid waste by the Indians about September of the year 1655 ; we made a fire there by aid of spunk wliich we had ; found in the shallow water on the strand some Oysters wliich we fried and ate, whilst thus engaged, a fine herd of Cattle came right by us feeding along the beach ; there were about sixteen cows both old & young, and 5 @ 6 horses