Using evidence from the document, answer the questions that follow.
Letter from Domines Megapolensis and Drisius to Classis, August 14, 1657
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned Fathers and Brethren in Christ:- Just after closing our recent letter of August 5th, it happened that on August 6th (or 12th) a ship came from the sea to this place, and approached the Fort, having no flag flying from the topmast, nor from any other place on the ship; only from the foremast a small burgee floated to indicate the wind. We could not decide whether she was Dutch, French, or English. They fired no salute before the fort, as is usual with ships on their arrival. When the Fiscal went on board, they tendered him no honor or respect. When the master of the ship came on shore and appeared before the Director-General, he rendered him no respect, but stood still with his hat firm on his head, as if a goat. The Director-General could with difficulty get a word from any of them. He only learned that they had come from London in about eight weeks. When asked as to the condition of Holland, France, etc., hardly a word could be drawn from them. At last information was gained that it was a ship with Quakers on board. The following morning early they hoisted anchor and sailed eastward, towards Hellgate, as we call it, in the direction of New England. We suppose they went to Rhode Island; for that is the receptacle of all sorts of riff-raff people, and is nothing else than the sewer, (latrina) of New England. All the cranks of New England retire thither. We suppose they will settle there, as they are not tolerated by the Independents in any other place. Last year there also arrived at Boston, in New England, several of these Quakers, but they were immediately put in prison and then sent back in the same ship. Probably fearing the same thing, these Quakers came this way, and then passed on. But they did not pass from us so hastily, as not to leave some evidences of their having been here, for they left behind two strong young women. As soon as the ship had fairly departed, these began to quake and go into a frenzy, and cry out loudly in the middle of the street, that men should repent, for the day of judgment was at hand. Our people not knowing what was the matter, ran to and fro, while one cried “Fire”, and another something else. The Fiscal, with an accompanying officer, seized them both by the head, and led them to prison. On their way to jail, they continued to cry out and pray according to their manner, and continued to do the same when in prison. We perceive from this circumstance that the devil is the same everywhere. The same instruments which he uses to disturb the churches in Europe, he employs here in America. We trust that our God will baffle the designs of the devil, and preserve us in the truth, and bring to nothing these machinations of Satan. Finally, we commend your Reverences to the protection of the Most High, while we beseech him to bless us all in the ministry, to the edification of his church. Your dutiful servants, Joannes Megapolensis. Samuel Drisius. Amsterdam, in New Netherland, August 14th, 1657.
