Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. IV
The prisoners told us that the Esopus Indians had fled to a high mountain through fear of the Dutch, and that they Jay here and there in small bands, and that the prisoners were also distributed and dispersed among them here and there, and were not together and that they would not trust them in their fort, and that the Indians daily threatened them--Should the Dutch come thither, we will give you a Knock and Kill you all at once. Were thus a long time in terror. Meanwhile we had some scouting parties out, who returned hav ing seen nothing--had also a party to cut barley ; came back safe. 21st ditto. Three Sloops have come from the Manhatans, with which a supply of provisions for this garrison has arrived in Rut Jacobsen's Yacht. Sent three convoys to the water side and parties to cut corn; but they saw nothing. Sent for the 5 Mohawks and Jan Davets acting as Interpreter, informed them what insults the Dutch ef Esopus 'had from year to year experienced and suffered from the Indians, and that they now even this last time, had murdered and carried off our people, when -we had given them no provocation. Whereupon they answered, Come, give us a piece of duffels ; we shall afterwards go with it and see whether we shall not be able to recover all
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the prisoners. It was accordingly resolved by the Heer de Decker and Council of War, that a piece of duffels should be brought up from the river side and given them; which being done, they took the piece of duffels, cut it into three parts, and thus departed with it about 11 o'clock in the forenoon ; with them went Jan Davets with the Squaw and 2 children who had been captured by us and were released in exchange for the 2 Dutch women and 2 children whom the Indians had brought back. 924 ditto.