over our walls. There is good opportunity for making salt, for there
are convenient places, the water is salt enough, and there is no want
of heat in summer. Besides, what the waters yield, both of the sea and
rivers, in all kinds of fish; and what the land possesses in all kinds
of birds, game, and woods, with vegetables, fruits, roots, herbs and
plants, both for eating and medicinal purposes, and with which wonderful
cures can be effected, it would take too long to tell, nor could I yet
tell accurately. Your Reverence has already obtained some knowledge
thereof and will be able to obtain from others further information. The
country is good and pleasant, the climate is healthy, notwithstanding
the sudden changes of cold and heat. The sun is very warm, the winter
is fierce and severe and continues fully as long as in our country. The
best remedy is not to spare the wood, of which there is enough, and to
cover one's self with rough skins, which can also easily be obtained.

The harvest, God be praised, is in the barns, and is larger than ever
before. There ha been more work put on it than before. The ground is
fertile enough to reward labor, but they must clear it well, and till
it, just as our lands require. Until now there has been distress because
many people were not very industrious, and also did not obtain proper
sustenance for want of bread and other necessaries. But affairs are
beginning to go better and to put on a different appearance, if only the
Directors will send out good laborers and exercise all care that they be
maintained as well as possible with what this country produces.

I had intended and promised [to write] to the Honorable Brethren,
Rudolphus Petri, Joannes Sylvius and Domine Cloppenburg, who, with your
Reverence, were charged with the superintendence of these regions;(1)
but as this would take long and the time is short, and my occupations
at the present time many, your Reverence will please to give my friendly
and kind regards to their Reverences, and to excuse me, on condition
that I remain their debtor to fulfill my promise--God willing--the next
time. Be pleased also to give my sincere respects to the Reverend Domine
Triglandius, and to all the Brethren of the Consistory(2) besides, to
all of whom I have not thought it necessary to write particularly at
this time, as they are made by me participants in these tidings, and
are content to be fed from the hand of your Reverence. If it shall be
c