Document: Letter from gov. Colve to William Lawrence

I was on Thuesday last at midwout where I had appointed & found the officers of the severall dutch Townes on Long Island recommending them to their duty & fidellity in which I have not found them any thing wanting the Time & Season of the yeare would not suffer me to vizitt your townes wherefore I have thought fitt to salute you by these Lines & witthall to recommend unto you as you wish the welfare & tranquility of your Selves to be true & faithfull according to your Oaths & Promises & not to be deluded by any Illminded spirits as some of the Easterne Townes verry unwisely have falsified the same whom due tyme as rebellions will reipe the fruit thereof.

You are also Required to take Care that good orders be kept in your Respective Townes & if any thing should be attempted by any in prejudice to ye government in generall, or any of your Townes in Particular to give me Imediate Notice thereof not doubting with ye help & assistance of god fully to maintaine all true Subiects in their Rights & priviledges against all them that shall attempt any thing in prejudice of the same — Soo Recommending you to ye protextion of ye almighty god,