Brother Livinghston, New York, November 15, 1691.

[I] have written to you via Abram Staets before my departure for Long Island, whose yacht left
during my absence carrying 24 barrels of ox-meat. I expected to get some money on ditto island
but did not get anything1), so that now again pressing letters have gone out. I was so devoid
of money that [I] had to borrow 100 lb. in heavy and 100 lb. in light money in order to buy meat
and to send 50 lb. 2 sh. in heavy and 50 lb. 2 sh. in light money up to you, which is going up
now with Nanningh Harmensz and was delivered to him by my son Johannes, since I am now
going to Staten Island to rouse up the collection of the tax there. Into Bogardus’ yacht [I] have
put 35 barrels of meat, 2 barrels of pork, [and] 531 lb. of ox-meat to be eaten on the way by the
70 men who are going up along with him, 53 loafs of soft bread at 7 lb. apiece and 2.1.12 lb. in
hard bread and 4 barrels of small beer, an account of which you may require of him. In Nanning
Harmensz.’ yacht there are 6 more big barrels containing 3541 lb. of ox-meat which [I] have
borrowed [and is] to be delivered back in a few days, because I could not purchase any2) but at a
very high price. Item, 3½ more barrels of pork, which is all [I] can get at present. [I] will supply
myself in order to send up as much pork in spring as you will order, and [I’ll] do my best to get
the money in for the 2 ordinances we have. If you can, let Rensselaer, too, provide the people
with small beer. He got a negro-boy from me and thus it will be easy for him and me to settle
with each other. I hope Leverits3) will supply you with pork or something else for what [he] owes
me; [and] the brewer’s widow at Schenectady as well, who owes me £ 27.- for a negro. I never
in all my life had as much difficulty in raising money as now. Sister Verplanck is sending the hat
for you and brother Johannes Oss will pay the cost of making. I hope to be back at home before
Nanningh leaves. And since I am lacking in time [I] have to break off and commend you to God,
remaining your affectionate brother, in a great hurry,

S. v. Cortlandt.

In the left margin, at the (A) mark: oxhoofden



Notes:

1) Leder’s translation – “did not get anywhere”. Van Cortlandt writes: “kreegh niets” = “got nothing” or “did not get anything”.
2) viz. ox-beef.
3) Spelled “Loveridge”






I have been at Staten Island. In all this dirty weather [I] have achieved nothing but that the tax
will be paid in a few days. The certain feeling we had to get people from New England has
given us a lot of trouble since they informed us at the last moment that [they] were not able to
send people, so that we had to press people here. And the cause [of this] is that it has become so
late in the season. I hope this cold will cease somewhat and that the yachts carrying provisions
will come up with the people. Aboard Nanning[‘s vessel] I also put four barrels of beer, 392 lb.
of fresh meat, and 169 lb. of hard bread, and a kettle to cook their meat in.

We owe Nanningh six shillings for bringing up the money, but if [he] has to hire somebody to
carry it [he] has to be paid additionally.

A moment ago young Philips arrived from Jamaica; no news.

The men are marching on board, so that [I] have to break off and commend [all of] you together
to God, remaining
Your Affectionate Brother,

S. v. Cortlandt.

Mr. Brooke delivered me an exercise-book and 2 reams of paper which have come from Boston.
And [I] send [them] to you with Nanning.

lower left corner (written in English by Robert Livingston):

Alb.4) 28 Nov. 16915) Broedr. Cortlandt letter w.th provis. arrived at Sopus.6)

Notes:
4) = Albany.
5) November 28, 1691, is probably the day Robert received the letter in Albany.
6) = Esopus.