And though the aforesaid action, according to the law of nations and for divers reasons, could be maintained and defended, the Company, nevertheless, in order to show and to declare before all the world that it does not seek enmity with any one, nor ask aught belonging to another, but only endeavors to maintain and defend its own, allowed on the same day an offer in writing to be made, to restore the said surrendered Fort Christina to the said John Rising on honorable and reasonable conditions to be sworn to and solemnly fulfilled by him and his officers as Agents on the behalf of her Royal Majesty of Sweden on the one part, and the

592 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. Director-General and Council, as Agents of this State and the Company, on the other. But this offer was rejected by said John Rising, on pretence that the matter was not within his attribute, and he preferred to adhere to the Capitulation which had been concluded.

Appendix 1. Received 28 January, 1656. Secret.

Extracts of divers letters written by Wiilem Kieft, late Director in New- Netherland, to the Managers of the Incorporated West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam, viz' : -- Of a letter dated 2S«'' April, 1638. The assistant of Fort Nassau writes that Minuyt was at the South river and had sent his sloop above the fort. He would, afterwards, again go up, which our people prevented. And Peter Mey sailed down aboard of him, demanding to see his commission which he refused to exhibit, saying he will build a fort there, and his Queen had as much right there as the Company. I have sent Jan Jansen, the Commissary of tlie fort tliither, and instructed him, in case Minuyt should attempt anything to our prejudice to protest against him in due form.