28th of September the general left with the ships and yachts,
and we were ordered to remain from eight to fourteen days,
and let the men work daily at Fort Casemier, in the construc-
tion of ramparts. ¹

The 11th of October, Governor Rijsingh and Factor Els-
wijck, with some Swedes, came on board, whom we carried
with us to Menades. We ran out to sea for the Menades on
the 12th, and on the 17th happily arrived within Sandy Hook.
On the 21st we sailed for the North River, from Staten Island,
by the watering-place, and saw that all the houses there, and
about Molyn's house, ² were burned up by the Indians; and
we learned here that Johannes van Beeck, with his wife and
some other people, and the captain of a slave-trader which
was lying here at anchor with a vessel, having gone on a pleas-
ure excursion, were attacked by the Indians, who murdered
Van Beeck and the captain, and took captive his wife and sister.
We found Van Beeck dead in a canoe, and buried him. His
wife has got back. The general is doing all that lies in his
power to redeem the captives and to make peace. Commend-
ing your Honor, with hearty salutations, to the protection of
the Most High, that he will bless you and keep you in con-
tinued health, I remain your Honor's

Obedient servant,
JOHANNES BOGAERT,
Clerk.

Laus Deo, Ship De Waegh (The Balance),
the 31st October, 1655.

Hon. Mr. Schepen Bontemantel,
Director of the Chartered West India
Company, at Amsterdam.

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