whose previous hostile invasions and encroachments neither
we nor our predecessors have been able to oppose or prevent.

And, even if the good God had, for the moment, been
pleased to avert the misfortune from us, to delay or prevent the
arrival of those frigates, yet had we, through want of the rein-
forcements of men and ships from Fatherland so repeatedly
demanded but not come, shortly after fallen, by this war with
England, into a worse state and condition, in consequence of
the overpowering might of the neighbors. This is sufficiently
evident and plain from their hostile acts and encroachments
against the inhabitants in a season of profound peace; being,
as already stated, fifty to our one, they would afterwards,
jure belli, have attacked, overwhelmed, plundered us and the
good inhabitants whom they would have utterly expelled out
of the country.

Many more reasons and circumstances could be adduced,
Illustrious, High and Mighty, for your greater satisfaction and
my vindication, if your occupations, Illustrious, High and
Mighty, permitted you to cast your eyes over, or allow others
to take cognizance of, the continual remonstrances, applications
and petitions for a settlement of the boundary or a reinforce-
ment, particularly of the latest of the years 1663 and 1664, and
of the daily entries in the minutes bearing thereupon.

But fearing that your patience, Illustrious, High and Mighty,
will be exhausted by this too long and unpalatable relation, I
shall break off here and submit myself, Illustrious, High and
Mighty, to your most wise and discreet opinion, command and
order--with this prayer, that you, Illustrious, High and
Mighty, would please to dispatch me, your humble servant, as
quickly as your more important occupations will possibly allow;
meanwhile praying that God will temper this loss with other
more notable successes and prosper your government.

Illustrious, High and Mighty,

Your most humble servant,

Exhibited 16th October, 1665. P. STUYVESANT.

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