We had but a choice of evils. The Director robbed and murdered wherever he could, and in the manner already related 1600 savages were killed in the years 1643 and 1644; some of them were settled among the English, at a distance of from 10 to 20 miles from us, who were most of them surprised in theix sleep, many of them never having seen a Dutchman much less ever having done them any harm.

In April of the year 1644, seven savages were arrested at Heemstede (where an English clergyman, Mr. Fordam, was governor), on a charge of killing two or three pigs, though it was afterwards discovered that some Englishmen had done it them- 'selves. Director Kieft was informed by Mr. Fordham, that he had just arrested seven savages, who were confined in a cellar, but whom he had not dared to treat inhumanely, as he could not answer for the consequences to himself, because such things are not to be winked at there, or perhaps because the English nation wish to cause a general dislike among the savages to our people. Kieft immediately sent ensign Opdyk with an Englishman, John Onderhill, and 15 or 16. soldiers, who killed three of the seven in the cellar. They then took the other four with them in the sailing boat, two of whom were towed along by a

' string round their necks till they were drowned, while the two unfortunate survivors were detained as prisoners at fort Amsterdam. When they had been kept a long time in the corps de garde, the director became tired: of giving them food any longer, and they were delivered to the soldiers to do as they pleased