t most come from the Manhattans.
The Ferry, the Walebacht, and Guyanes,(1) all belong to Breuckelen.
The Ferry is about two thousand paces across the river, or to the
Manhattans, from the Breuckelen Ferry. I found at Breuckelen one elder,
two deacons, twenty four members, thirty one householders, and one
hundred and thirty-four people. The consistory will remain for the
present as it is. In due time we will have more material and we will
know the congregation better. Cathechizing will not be held here before
the winter; but we will begin it at the preaching service there. It will
be most suitable to administer the Lord's Supper on Christmas, Easter,
Whitsuntide and in September. On the day following these festivals-days
a thanksgiving sermon will be preached. I might have taken up my
residence at the Manhattans, because of its convenience; but my people,
all of them evincing their love and affection for me, have provided me
a dwelling of which I cannot complain. I preach at Breuckelen in the
morning; but at the Bouwery at the end of the catechetical sermon. The
Bouwery is a place of relaxation and pleasure, whither people go from
the Manhattans, for the evening service. There are there forty negroes,
from the region of the Negro Coast, besides the household families.
There is here as yet no consistory, but the deacons from New Amsterdam
provisionally receive the alms; and at least one deacon, if not an
elder, ought to be chosen there. Besides myself, there are in New
Netherland the Domines Joannes Megapolensis and Samuel Drisius at
New Amsterdam; Domine Gideon Schaats at Fort Orange; Domine Joannes
Polhemius at Middelwout and New Amersfort; and Domine Hermanus Blom at
the Esopus. I have nothing more to add, except to express my sincere
gratitude and to make my respectful acknowledgements. I commend your
Reverences, wise and pious teachers, to God's protection, and am,

Yours humbly,

HENRICUS SELYNS, Minister of the Holy Gospel at Breuckelen.

From Amsterdam on the Manhattans, Oct. 4, 1660.

(1) Wallabout and Gowanus.

Rev. Henricus Selyns to the Classis of Amsterdam (June 9, 1664).

Very Reverend, Pious and Learned Brethren in Christ:

With Christian salutations of grace and peace, this is to inform you,
that with proper submission, we take the liberty of reporting to the
Very Rev. Classis the condition and welfare of the Church of Jesus
Christ, to which your Reverences called me, as well as my request an