[150] We have often before this wished for an opportunitie or an occasion to congratulate you, and your prosperous and praise-worthy undertakeings, and Government of your colony ther. And the more, in that we also have made a good begining to pitch y^e foundation of a collonie hear; and seeing our native countrie lyes not farr from yours, and our forefathers (diverse hundred years agoe) have made and held frendship and alliance with your ancestours, as sufficently appears by y^e old contractes, and entrecourses, confirmed under y^e hands of kings & princes, in y^e pointe of warr & trafick; as may be seene and read by all y^e world in y^e old chronakles. The which are not only by the king now reigning confirmed, but it hath pleased his majesty, upon mature deliberation, to make a new covenante, (and to take up armes,) with y^e States Generall of our dear native country, against our commone enemie the Spaniards, who seeke nothing else but to usurpe and overcome other Christian kings and princes lands, that so he might obtaine and possess his pretended monarchic over all Christendom; and so to rule and co[=m]and, after his owne pleasure, over y^e consciences of so many hundred thousand sowles, which God forbid. And also seeing it hath some time since been reported unto us, by some of our people, that by occasion came so farr northward with their shalop, and met with sundry of y^e Indeans, who tould them that they were within halfe a days journey of your plantation, and offered ther service to cary letters unto you; therfore we could not forbear to salute you with these few lines, with presentation of our good will and servise unto you, in all frendly-kindnes & neighbourhood. And if it so fall out that any goods that comes to our hands from our native countrie, may be serviceable unto you, we shall take our selves bound to help and acco[=m]adate you ther with; either for beaver or any other wares or marchandise that you should be pleased to deale for. And if in case we have no co[=m]odity at present that may give you contente, if you please to sell us any beaver, or otter, or such like comodities as may be usefull for us, for ready money, and let us understand therof by this bearer in writing, (whom we have apoynted to stay 3. or 4. days for your answer,) when we understand your minds therin, we shall depute one to deale with you, at such place as you shall appointe. In y^e mean time we pray the Lord to take you, our honoured good freinds and neighbours, into his holy protection. By the appointment of y^e Gov^r and Counsell, &c. ISAAK DE RASIER, Secrectaris. From y^e Manhatas, in y^e fort Amsterdam, March 9. An^o: 1627. To this they returned answer as followeth, on y^e other side. [151] To the Honoured, &c.