West Indies, and that passing by there, he wished to arrange
some matters and to furnish the ship with water and wood,
and would then leave. Some time afterwards, some of our
people going again, found the Swedes still there but then
they had already made a small garden for raising salads,
pot-herbs and the like. They wondered at this, and inquired
of the Swedes what is meant, and whether they intended to
stay there. They excused themselves by various reasons and
subterfuges, but some notwithstanding supposed that such
was their design. The third time it became apparent, from
their building a fort, what their intentions were. Director
Kieft, when he obtained information of the matter, protested
against it, but in vain. It was plainly and clearly to be
seen, in the progress of the affair, that they did not
intend to leave. It is matter of evidence that above
Maghchachansie,<5> near the Sankikans, the arms of Their
High Mightinesses were erected by order of Director Kieft,
as a symbol that the river, with all the country and the
lands around there, were held and owned under Their High
Mightinesses. But what fruits has it produced as yet, other
than continued derision and derogation of dignity? For the
Swedes, with intolerable insolence, have thrown down the
arms, and since they are suffered to remain so, this is
looked upon by them, and particularly by their governor,
as a Roman achievement. True, we have made several protests,
as well against this as other transactions, but they have
had as much effect as the flying of a crow overhead; and it
is believed that if this governor had a supply of men, there
would be more madness in him than there has been in the
English, or any of their governors. This much only in