Further, he, the deponent, asked Gerrit Bicker there present, whether he may not go aboard to see whether he might not get a sight of the Governor John Rysingh's Commission or order; which Bicker allowed him to do. Thereupon went he, the deponent, accompanied by Peter Ebel, Burgher Serjeant, on board and requested of the new Swedish Governor copy of any Commission or order he might have to take forcible possession of Fort Casimier, situate in the South river of New Netherland, and the lands

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: VIIL 603 belonging to the Hon""'' West India Company. Whereunto he received for answer from the Swedish Governor, that he did so by orders from Her Mnjesty in Sweden, who, said he, had sent Ambassadors to their High Mightinesses, to ascertain whether their High Mightinesses had given orders and instructions to build Fort Casimier on this place, and to usurp the bounds of the territory belonging to the Crown; whereunto, as the Governor stated, tiieir High Mightinesses had answered, that Her Majesty must inquire of the Hon'''^ West India Company about it; the Directors of which had also given for answer, that they had not issued any orders for overstepping the Swedish bounds, much less for the erection of Fort Casimier; and that they had further told the Swedish Ambassadors: If our people are in your way there, drive them off. Thereupon, the Governor slapped him, deponent, on the breast, and said :

Go, tell your Governor that. He, the deponent, coming ashore with his companion, Peter Ebel, found the fort beset with Swedish sentinels, as well near the guns as on the walls, and could not enter the fort without their consent. All which he, the deponent, declares to be true and offers to verify the same on oath, whenever necessary and on being required.