A letter concerning the Dutch acquisition of Manhattan

Received (in The Hague): 7^th of November 1626.

High and mighty lords,

The ship 'The coat of arms of Amsterdam' has arrived here (in Amsterdam) yesterday and has sailed out of New Netherland on the 23^rd of September through the Mauritius River. (Hereby) reporting that our people are in good spirit and are living there peacefully. The women have given birth to children there as well. (They) have bought the Island of Manhattes from the wild man, for the amount of 60 guilders. (The island) measures 11.000 morgen. (They) have sowed all grains in the middle of May and harvested (them) in the middle of August. The samples of summer grain, being wheat, rye, barley, oat, buckwheat, canary grass, beans and flax, are from this (harvest).

The cargo of the aforesaid ship is:
7246 beaver skins
178½ otter skins
675 otter skins (apparently packaged separately from the first shipment of otter skins)
48 mink skins
36 cat skins
33 minks (without further specifications)
34 rat skins
Many oak beams and heartwood.

Herewith, high and mighty lords, be commended to the mercy of the Almighty.

(Written) in Amsterdam, the 5^th of November 1626.

Your high and mightinesses' obedient (servant),
Pieter Schaghen (signature)