[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] [ From the authenticated copy in the Eoyal Archives at the Hague J File, Wat Indie. ] Noble, High and Mighty Lords, the Noble Lords the States General of the United Netlierland Provinces. Noble, High and Mighty Lords. As no sacrifice is more acceptable to our God than an humble spirit and a contrite heart, so nothing should, in like manner, be more pleasing to all Christian princes and magistrates, than to lend an ear to their complaining, and to extend their hand to their distressed, subjects. It is then so that we poor inhabitants of New Netherland were here in the Spring pursued by these wild Heathens and barbarous Savages with fire and sword; daily in our houses and fields have they cruelly murdered men and women; and with hatchets and tomahawks struck little children dead in their parents' arms or before their doors; or carried them away into bondage; the houses and grain-barracks are burnt with the produce; cattle, of all descriptions, are slain and destroyed, and such as remain must perish this approaching Winter for the want of fodder. Almost every place is abandoned. We, wretched people, must skulk, with wives and little ones that still survive, in poverty together, in and around the fort at the Manahatas where we are not safe even for an hour; whilst the Indians daily threaten to overwhelm us with it.