lso enrich us with their good
and reciprocal trade, so that there is no one in New Netherland or
who trades to New Netherland without obligation to them. Great is our
disgrace now, and happy should we have been, had we acknowledged these
benefits as we ought, and had we striven to impart the Eternal Good
to the Indians, as much as was in our power, in return for what they
divided with us. It is to be feared that at the Last Day they will stand
up against us for this injury. Lord of Hosts! Forgive us for not having
conducted therein more according to our reason; give us also the means
and so direct our hearts that we in future may acquit ourselves a we
ought for the salvation of our own souls and of theirs, and for the
magnifying of thy Holy Name, for the sake of Christ. Amen.

To speak with deference, it is proper to look beyond the trouble which
will be incurred in adjusting the boundaries and the first cost
of increasing the population of this country, and to consider that
beginnings are difficult and that sowing would be irksome if the sower
were not cheered with the hope of reaping. We trust and so assure
ourselves that the very great experience of Their High Mightinesses will
dictate better remedies than we are able to suggest. But it may be that
Their High Mightinesses and some other friends, before whom this may
come, may think strange that we speak as highly of this place as we do,
and as we know to be true, and yet complain of want and poverty, seek
relief, assistance, redress, lessening of charges, population and the
like, and show that the country is in a poor and ruinous condition; yea,
so much so, as that without special aid and assistance it will utterly
fall off and pass under foreign rule. It will therefore be necessary to
point out the true reasons and causes why New Netherland is in so bad
a state, which we will do as simply and truly as possible, according
to the facts, as we have seen, experienced, and heard them; and as this
statement will encounter much opposition and reproach from many persons
who may take offence at it, we humbly pray Their High Mightinesses and
all well wishers, who may chance to read this, that they do not let the
truth yield to any falsehoods, invented and embellished for the purpose,
and that they receive no other testimony against this relation than
that of such impartial persons as have not had, either directly or
indirectly, any hand therein, profited by the loss of New Net