There are amongst us, who by the sweat and labor of their hands, have been endeavoring at great expense, to improve their lands and gardens; others with their own capital, have equipped with every necessary their own ships, which have been captured by the enemy in coming hither, though they have continued the voyage with equal zeal, and at considerable cost. Some, again, independent of tiie Company, have brought hither large numbers of families in vessels of as great burden, freighted with a large stock of cattle, and have erected handsome buildings on the spots selected for their people cleared the forest and the ;

wilderness, enclosed and brought their plantations under the plough, so as to be an ornament to the country and a profit to the proprietors, after their long laborious toil. All these are now laid in ashes through a foolish hankering after war ; for it is known to all right thinking men here, that these Indians have lived as lambs among us until a few years ago, injuring no one, affording every assistance to our nation, and had in Director van Twiller's time (when supplies had not been sent for several months), furnished provisions to several of the Company's servants, as they state, until supplies were received. The Director hath, by various uncalled for proceedings, from time to time so estranged them from us, and so embittered them against the Dutch nation, that we do not believe any thing will bring them back, unless the Lord God, who bends all men's hearts to his will, propitiate them. Thus hath the Antient very truly observed "Any man can create turmoil, and set the people one :