ng as we are here at the Manhatans. They built last year a handsome
parsonage. On the South River, matters relating to religion and the
church have hitherto progressed very unsatisfactorily; first because we
had there only one little fort, and in it a single commissary, with ten
to twenty men, all in the Company's service, merely for trading with the
Indians. Secondly: In the year 1651 Fort Nassau was abandoned and razed,
and another, called Fort Casemier, was erected, lower down and nearer
to the seaboard. This was provided with a stronger garrison, and was
reinforced by several freemen, who lived near it.

(1) Minister at Rensselaerswyck since 1652.

But the Swedes, increasing there in numbers, troubled and annoyed our
people daily. After they had taken Fort Casemier from us, they annoyed
our countrymen so exceedingly, that the South River was abandoned by
them. However in the year 1655 our people recovered Fort Casemier, and
now it is held by a sufficiently strong garrison, including several
freemen, who also have dwellings about. One was then appointed, to read
to them on Sundays, from the Postilla.(1) This is continued to this
day.(2) The Lutheran preacher who was sent there was returned to Sweden.

(1) Book of Homilies.

(2) Reverend Peter Hjort, pastor at Fort Trinity.

Two miles from Fort Casemier, up the river, is another fort, called
Christina. This was also taken by our people, at the same time, and the
preacher there(1) was sent away, with the Swedish garrison.

(1) Reverend Matthias Nertunius.

But because many Swedes and Finns, at least two hundred, live above
Fort Christina, two or three leagues further up the river, the Swedish
governor made a condition in his capitulation, that they might retain
one Lutheran preacher,(1) to teach these people in their language. This
was granted then the more easily, first, because new troubles had broken
out at Manhattan with the Indians, and it was desirable to shorten
proceedings here and return to the Manhattans to put things in order
there; secondly, because there was no Reformed preacher here, nor any
who understood their language, to be located there.

(1) Reverend Lars Lock or Lokenius, preacher at Tinicum from
1647 to 1688.

This Lutheran preacher is a man of impious and scandalous habits, a
wild, drunken, unmannerly clown, more inclined to look into the wine
can than into the Bible. He would prefer drinking brandy two hour