For, besides running through New England among the English people (who are not very friendly to us and our Nation here on account of old boundary requisitions and claims) proclaiming and parading your High Mightinesses' aforesaid writ of mandamus and public letters, and His Serene Highness' passports, even before they were communicated to us, to the scandal of both and to our disparagement, he greatly discredited the Hon'''' Company to the English, as if it were bankrupt, and in no repute with your He reported, also, among other things, in order High Mightinesses. to render this government odious among the English (as letters of advice and the declaration of passengers state), that he was empowered by your High Mightinesses to send me a prisoner Vol. L 41

322 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

to Holland; that your High Mightinesses greatly wondered that those of New England did

not dra" me to, and hang me on, the highest tree for having caused the yacht St. Beninjo to be cut out of their waters, and that we had applied to your High Mightinesses for seven to ei"-ht hundred soldiers in order to make war on the people of New England. The tendency of these and similar reports, with the exhibition of the writs of mandamus dragged through the mud amongst a people who, on the score of possession, are indifferently disposed towards us, we respectfully recommend to your High Mightinesses' prudence and wise consideration, assured that the falsehood of the exonerated individual, in all this matter, will be fully exposed. Should he, contrary to public report and advisory letters, deny this to your High Miglitinesses, his previous words and deeds in Mr. Kiefl's time -- the mutinous and insulting service of the