they told me that he had fulfilled his duties only so-so(2) and that he
did little enough for his salary.

(1) Willem Vestiens or Vestens, schoolmaster, of Haarlem, "a
good, God-fearing man," was sent out in 1650 as
schoolmaster, sexton, and "comforter of the sick." In 1655
he asked to be transferred to the East Indies, and was
replaced at New Amsterdam by Harmanus van Hoboken.

(2) Taliter qualiter.

Some Jews came from Holland last summer, in order to trade. Later some
Jews came upon the same ship as Dr. Polheymius;(1) they were healthy,
but poor. It would have been proper, that they should have been
supported by their own people, but they have been at our charge, so that
we have had to spend several hundred guilders for their support. They
came several times to my house, weeping and bemoaning their misery. When
I directed them to the Jewish merchant,(2) they said, that he would not
lend them a single stiver. Some more have come from Holland this spring.
They report that many more of the same lot would follow, and then they
would build here a synagogue. This causes among the congregation here
a great deal of complaint and murmuring. These people have no other
God than the Mammon of unrighteousness, and no other aim than to get
possession of Christian property, and to overcome all other merchants
by drawing all trade towards themselves. Therefore we request your
Reverences to obtain from the Messrs. Directors, that these godless
rascals, who are of no benefit to the country, but look at everything
for their own profit, may be sent away from here. For as we have here
Papists, Mennonites and Lutherans among the Dutch; also many Puritans or
Independents, and many atheists and various other servants of Baal among
the English under this Government, who conceal themselves under the
name of Christians; it would create a still greater confusion, if the
obstinate and immovable Jews came to settle here.

(1) Refugees from Brazil, who retired after the capture of
Pernambuco by the Portugese, in January, 1654. The number
of Jews who settled in New Amsterdam became considerable.
The West India Company in 1655 repressed all attempts of
Stuyvesant and his Council to expel or oppress them.

(2) Jacob Barsimson seems to have been the one Jewish
merchant then there.

In closing I commend your Reverences with your families to the
protection of God, who will bless