You will learn from our letter to the Noble Mighty Lords their High Mightinesses' deputies on the affairs of New Netherland, the time of our arrival here and in what condition we found the Board and the Commonalty. The people are greatly imposed on ; men will fain hang and burn the Select men, and moreover, whilst duly observing our honor and oath, &c. The affliction in which the poor Commonalty here live, cannot be any longer endured ; they are more and more oppressed.

E.xtracts of two different letters from Augustin Herman, dated 10 September, 1650.

Further., whatever you have done there for the public interests, I, for my part, do especially approve; hope also 'twill terminate well, although the opposite party jeer at it, saying, when they do anything -- Go, and complain to the States. We are anxiously expecting the approval of the Redress and a change, about which we [can talk] in covered terms; but if it endure longer, I fear 'twill terminate badly, which God forbid.

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: VL 445

The Director hath seized three ships, because he will have from each one hundred pounds of powder, harbor duty; though neither Mr. Dincklagen nor the Fiscal knows anything of it, nor was it determined on in Council, yet he will have it by force ; but Vastrick and Bloemert are gone free, or are paid for it. It appears that the Company backs him up strongly. I had, indeed, brought a flag with me for the Burghers, but Stuyvesant will not allow it to be carried. He does as he pleases.