252 TlMEHRl. 
longer suffer private Companies to trifle away the lives 
and fortunes of those who settle in their Colonies, 
flattered with the hopes of being by them protected. 
For my part, Sir, I thought myself happy in being 
under your protection, and so confident was I of it, that 
not satisfied with the estate my kind and indulgent 
father gave me, I purchased more land and erected other 
works, which are just now ready finished for the depre- 
dations and excesses of those merciless wretches who 
give no quarter, wherever they go. How soon they may 
come upon us, God only knows ; but whether they do it 
or not, sooner or later, it is certain that all work at 
present is stopped, and everything going to ruin and 
destruction, and I will take upon me to say that nothing 
will prevent it but the total extirpation of those blood- 
thirsty savages. 
We have long been fighting uphill, and I believe I 
speak the voice of the colony when I assure your 
Excellency that our patience is tired out. If something 
therefore is not immediately done for the support and 
advancement of these long and shamefully negle6ted 
Rivers, I cannot take upon me to say what will be the 
fatal consequences. But we have one pleasing hope 
remaining that may soon dispel the mist and bring us 
peace and comfort : a generous and a powerful Bene- 
factor stands up in the cause of liberty and the support 
of our rights, whose candour and firmness will we trust 
soon convince the world how glorious an a6t it is to 
relieve the distressed, and that the ancient spirit of the 
Dutch Nation has not left them. I need not tell your 
Excellency that it is you I mean, nor have I at present 
more to say, than that 1 shall esteem it the greatest 
