[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] We are content to be, then, esteemed such as his Honor described us in his letter, and shall willingly suffer and take it with an honest face; for the wisest man teaches that the feeble must not speak evil, as anger is not excited against the silent man. It is said that Diogenes was once asked how he could contrive to live so many years at court? To which the philosopher answered : I had to bear and endure much injury at court from the 208 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. King, and I always in return said, Thanl^ you. We willingly confess that we have not experienced what the philosopher here represents, for not an unkind word was exchanged between us and Mr. Kieft in our intercourse with that gentleman. His Honor must prove that the Eight chosen men, who were elected by the Commonalty and approved and authorized by his Honor and his Council, acted unlawfully in communicating to their High Mightinesses and Lords Majors, the general ruin and necessity of the country, in order thereby to obtain earlier aid and assistance, as is, God be praised now evident. Were this true, as we trust it is, we think, under correction, that we have not injured Mr. Kieft in general nor in particular; and that his Honor ought not so sharply and so severely censure and reprimand us; for the ancient Sage was of opinion that a person high in station could not commit a graver fault than to insult those who durst not answer him.