IPRaAiit,: [Pinar IB rile iow TIT 
Fort James, May 14, 1669. 
I have received your return of two persons for the employment 
of Lieutenant of the Militia of your town . . . and in compliance 
with your request that a file of men do stay behind for the protec- 
tion and safeguard of the place, I do think fit that Pierre Bileau 
do stay with a file of men for that purpose,—one of the ancient 
inhabitants, who is best acquainted among the Indians. 
7 (Signed) Francis LovELAce ? 
New AMSTERDAM, August 25, 1673. 
At a meeting of the Commanders in an adjourned Council of 
War, Present—Cornelius Evertsen, Jr. and others. From the 
nomination of the inhabitants of Staten Island are elected Magis- 
trates thereof; as Schout and Schepen, Pieter Biljou.® 
—. Fort Wittem HeEnpricx, Oct. 7, 1673. 
ScHoutT PIETER BILjou 
This serves to direct you, by order of the Governor, in case 
you may descry any ships coming from sea, inside Sandy Hook, 
instantly to send an express to notify his Honor thereof; who also 
expects your advice that the palisades contracted for the Fort are 
PERG 5 0 6 
Wherewith ending, I remain, after greeting, 
Your friend, 
N. Bayarp, Secretary ¢ 
From the first of these entries we perceive that Pierre Billiou 
was trusted by the English when they took possession of New 
Netherland a few years after the resettlement of Staten Island, 
that he was spoken of by Governor Lovelace as “ one of the ancient 
inhabitants” and as “one that was best acquainted among the 
Indians.” 
From the second entry we perceive that he was trusted by the 
Dutch during the short time New Netherland was returned to 
them in 1673. By the inhabitants of Staten Island he was nomi- 
nated to the principal offices of Schout and Schepen; and by the 
2 Doe, IRel, to ae Cok IElis, Or Stee On IN, VW, 2638 Az, 
3 Doc. Rel. to the Col. His. of State of N. Y. 2: 586. 
4 1Doe, IRE, tm Col, leis, or ae Siawe oO IN, Wo 28 O26), 
