Whereas the good inhabitants here are obliged to reside on their properties up to the present time in great alarm, and cultivate with caution the soil through dread of the Indians who now and again have in a cowardly manner murdered some of our nation (without having any reason therefor), and we cannot obtain any satisfaction for the blood by peaceable means; therefore arms must be had recourse to, in order to vindicate the justice of our cause, so that we may live in peace here, with full confidence that God will give a blessing to our Commonalty themselves solicit its execution wherefore we resolution, the rather, as the good ;

hereby authorize and empower, as we do hereby authorize and empower at his request, Maryn Adriaensen and associates, to attack, a party of Indians lying behind Corlaer's plantation, and to act with them as they think proper, and time and circumstances will permit. The 25"" February, 1643. (Signed) Willem Kieft. Agrees with the original, (Signed) Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary.

Sundry DeclaratioTis respecting Conversations with Director Kieft,

G-. Before me Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, appeared Jan Evertsen Bout, aged about forty years, who at the request of Cornelis Leendertsen, deposes, testifies and declares, as he doth hereby testify and declare in the place, and with the promise, of a solemn oath if necessary and so required; that it is true, that on Wednesday, being the first day, he, the deponent, heard the Director Kieft say, whilst sitting on a gun at the bastion of the fort where the flag staff" stands: "Jan Eversen, how d'ye do?" To which the deponent answered. "Well, but weak in heart and courage." The Director replied, " I have wherewith to defend my conscience, namely Maryn Adriaensen, Jan Damen and the man over there, your neighbor," and divers other remarks, all which the deponent declares to be true; also, that he hath done this to bear testimony to the truth, through love or hatred of no man.