It is remarked, that Mr. Kieft demands in his declaration, which was read to us in your Honor's court on the 1S"» instant, that we be sent to Holland as pests and seditious persons. We, therefore, respectfully request of your Honors that it be granted to us, not to go as pestilent and seditious persons, as his Honor represents, but as good patriots and proprietors of New Netherland this, it is manifest we are, from what we have ;

expended in the country and which, in this war, was in a moment laid in ashes, whereby we ;

have lost ail our property. Whereunto we call God, the Lords Majors and the entire Commonalty, to witness. Also, that the other four out of the Eight chosen men, may be likewise sent with us, in order that they may acknowledge their signatures before their High Mightinesses; moreover, that all who are on their interrogatories may be summoned before your Honors for the 13"' instant. Finally and lastly, we respectfully pray the General and Council to be pleased to legally call together, before the departure of the Princess, all the freemen and Company's servants, who have survived the war, and ask them conjointly the following question, to wit: If we did not live in peace with these surrounding Indians before they were slaughtered, in February, 1643,

on Jan de Lacher's hook, near Jan Evertsen's bouwery at Pavonia, and behind Curler's plantation on the Island of Manhattans ; also, whether each of them, individually, could not at the time, uninterruptedly pursue their outdoor labor in the bush, as well as in the field, and live safely in their houses with their wives and children, without any fear of the Indians. Expecting this, &c., remaining your Hon" faithful inhabitants of New Netherland.