We shall state briefly in answer, that the Directors are very little surprised at the calumnies of dishonorable men, and it makes little ditterence whether bad men are there or here, but we had wished that as you had such opinion of those people, that you had performed your duty, and had in season a strict watch at Stalen Island on the ship in which he went over, as that was the place where you could fall in with all the contraband goods that he hath run on shore there during the night and at unseasonable times; and we cannot put such smuggling on any other than your shoulders. We know not in what the Director's anger against you consists; yet we suppose he does not put you to any inconvenience without great cause. But whilst you are free, on your side, to complain, neither can we omit to inform you, sir, of the

reasons of our dissatisfaction, independent of the complaints of the Director and Council respecting your disorderly life and dissolute conversation. We shall therefore tell you frankly from the mouths of many honorable people arrived from those parts, all of whom declare, that you ordinarily pass your time in drunkenness, that you scarcely pay any attention to your office, which we cannot tolerate. Out of respect for your friends, many of your faults have been overlooked, but for all that, no change for the better has been observed. We are, therefore, constrained recommend you to attend to your bounden duty; otherwise, we shall be to obliged to make such provision in the premises as shall be proper. Herewith, we commend you Honorable, Beloved, Valiant, Faithful, to God's protection and remain Your good friends, The Directors of the West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 9"" April, 1052. (Signed,) F.