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unawares into the Director’s room, he presents his Pistol at him, saying, What devilish lies artthou reporting of me l but by the promptness of one of the bystanders, the shot was prevented, andhe arrested. A short time after, Marine’s man and another entered the fort, each carrying a loadedgun and pistol—tlte first fired at the Director who having had notice withdrew towards his house, theballs passing into the walls alongside the door behind him ; the sentinel firing immediately on himwho had discharged his gun, brought him down. Shortly afterwards some of the Commonaltycollected before the'Director, riotously demanding the prisoner; they were answered that theirrequest should be presented in order and in writing, which about 25 men did, they therein askedthe Director to pardon the Criminal. The matters were referred to them to decide conscientiouslythereupon. In such wise that they immediately went forth, without hearing parties or seeingany complaints or documents : They condemn him in a fine of Five Hundred guilders , and to remainthree months away from the Manhatens , but on account of the importance of the affair and someConsiderations, it v r as resolved to send the Criminal, with his trial to Holland which.
In this Confusion mingled with great terror passed the winter away ; the Season came for drivingout the Cattle; this obliged many to desire Peace. On the other hand the Indians seeing also thatit was time to plant maize, were not less solicitous for peace so that after some negotiation, Peacewas concluded in May A 0 . 1643 only in consequence of the importunity of some and the opinionentertained by others that it would be durable.
The Indians kept still after this Peace, associating daily with our People, Yea, even the greatestChiefs came to visit the Director. Meamvhile Pachem a crafty man, ran through all the villagesurging the Indians to a general massacre, thereupon it happened that certain Indians called Wappin-gers, dwelling sixteen miles up the River , with whom w r e never had any the least trouble, seized ona boat coming from Fort Orange wherein were only tw T o men, and full four hundred Beavers . Thisgreat Booty stimulated* others to follow their example, so that they seized two boats more, intendingto overhaul the fourth also, from which they were driven off with the loss of six Indians. NineChristians including two women were murdered in these Captured barks, one woman and twochildren remaining prisoners. The other Indians, so soon as their maize was ripe—followed thisexample, and through semblance of selling Beavers killed an old man and woman, leaving anotherman with five wounds who however fled to the fort in a boat with a little child on his arm, who inthe first outbreak had lost Father & Mother, And now grandfather and grandmother, being thustwice through God ’s merciful blessing rescued from the hands of the Indians, first when two yearsold ; Nothing was now heard but murders most of which were committed under pretence of comingto put the Christians on their guard.
Finally they took the field and attacked the bouweries at Pavonia. There were here at thetime, two ships of war and a privateer who saved considerable Cattle and Grain. Probably it wasnot possible to prevent the destruction of four bouweries on Pavonia, which were burnt, not byopen force, but by stealthily creeping through the brush with fire in hand thus igniting the roofswhich are all either of reed or straw ; one covered with plank was repeatedly saved.
The Commonalty were called together, they were sore distressed. They chose eight, in the stead ofthe previous Twelve,! persons to aid in consulting for the best; but the occupation every one hadto take care of his own, prevented anything beneficial being adopted at that time—nevertheless itwas resolved that as many Englishmen as were in the Country should be enlisted who were indeednow proposing to depart; the third part of these were to be paid by the Commonalty ; this promisewas made by the Commonalty but was not follow'ed by the pay.
* Note M. Their acknowledgment made before the English 16 January, 1643; English style.
t Note N. Resolve of 13 Sept’r. 1643.