Extract from the First Letter, Dated the 7th of April, 1671

As to the request of the friends concerning the situation of our Swiss brothers and sisters in the Berne dominion, the facts are these: they are in a very sad condition, as we have learned from the lips of the fugitives who have arrived here, some of whom are still in my house. They say that they are hunted daily with constables, and that as many as they can get hold of are taken as prisoners to the city of Berne, so that about four weeks ago about forty, men and women, were in confinement there. They have also scourged some, and banished them from the country, one of whom has arrived here. They also scourged a minister in the word, and then took him out of the country into Burgundy, where, when they arrived there, they first branded him, and let him go among the Walloons. However, since he could talk with no one, he had to go about for three days with his burnt body before his wounds were dressed and he received some refreshment. He was in such a condition that when they undressed him to bind up his wounds, the pus ran down his back, as a brother who helped dress the wound told me himself. This friend arrived in Alsace together with two women and a man who had also been scourged and banished. So they are proceeding very severely, and, as it seems, will not give up their purpose until they have utterly banished this harmless people from their country and exterminated them.

It also appears that nothing further can be done for these persecuted brothers and sisters. Besides the fact that the friends at Amsterdam and elsewhere labored for several years in the matter, so that several favorable letters of recommendation from the Lords States of Holland, and in particular from the city of Amsterdam, and also from other persons of quality, were sent there to the magistrates; also, in the year 1660, an express messenger named Adolf de Vreede was sent to them; however, he did not accomplish much for the benefit of our friends there. So I cannot see that the friends will be able to accomplish anything at present that would bring relief to our persecuted brothers and sisters there. We will have to wait patiently for the deliverance which the Lord our God may be pleased to grant them.