These things cause great dissatisfaction, and excite thoughts of abandoning the country. Proceedings against Pieter Van der Linden fared no better, but he was not imprisoned, "^ though ° Pieter van der Lin- '^^°- many were, the most of whom are frightened, and would speak if they dare. Now as the Company itself carries on the forbidden trade, the people think that it is no sin for them too to prosecute it, if they can do so with impunity. And this gives rise to an incredible amount of smuggling and fraud. It does not appear to

Placard for the pro- prevail this year as much as usual. The publication of a placard offering freedom teciion of e»u doers. ^^^ protection here to those New liable to civil or criminal prosecution in

England, hath also greatly embittered the minds of the English, and it was

„ ", TheDircctorisright considered to be by every one of evil consequence. ready to conflscale. ,. Mr. Stuyvesant's promptness i-,i- o at confiscatmg, causes also great discontent among the inhabitants, ibcarce a snip

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: IV. 313 comes in, or near this place, that he does not looii on as a prize, unless it be the property of friends. Great pretensions will be set up on this subject, though with slender profit. we shall not question but confiscation hath Their merits ;

made so much noise in New Netherland, that none of those in any way in bad odor, considers his property secure. Were the noise thereof confined exclusively to the country, it were well; but he has spread it himself, throughout the neighboring English, both north and south, even to the West Indies and Caribbee Islands; everywhere there is such evil report, that not a ship dare venture here from those parts. Worthy and reliable people who come thence here by way of Boston, and others trading hence to Boston, assure us that more than 25 ships would come annually here from the Islands, were they not afraid of confiscation.