They have used trading here for six or seven and twenty years; but have begun to plant of later time; and now have reduced their trade to some order, and confined it only to their company, which, heretofore, was spoiled by their seamen and interlopers, as ours is, this year most notoriously.

Besides spoiling our trade, the Dutch continue to sell muskets, powder and shot to the Indians, which will be the overthrow of all, if it be not looked into." Director Minuit must have possessed some very noble traits of character.

After waiting three months to receive a reply to his last communication, he sent another letter, reiterating the most friendly sentiments, and urging that an authorized agent should be sent from Plymouth to New Amsterdam, to confer "by word of mouth, touching our mutual commerce and trading." He stated, moreover, that if it were inconvenient for Governor Bradford to send such an agent, they would depute one to Plymouth themselves.

In further token of kindness, he sent to the Plymouth Governor, "a rundlet of sugar and two Holland cheeses." It is truly refreshing to witness the fraternal spirit manifested on this occasion.

How many of the woes of this world might have been averted had the brotherhood of man been thus recognized by the leaders of the nations! A messenger was sent to Plymouth.