Surinam

1672 (Sept. 10): Entire letter written in Spanish and signed by Ishac Arias, a member of the Jewish community of Surinam and addressed to 'Don Pedro Pereyra' in Amsterdam, including complete content mentioning several ships with their captains bringing several thousand pounds of brown sugar to Europe and telling from slaves (Negros) working on the plantations as there was fear of war: "....Los Negros quedon buenos, el temor della guerra, con la dilacion se va olvidando, no se dexa p(or) esso trabajar q(ue) se puede....". Fine and very early transatlantic letter with full transcription and German translation included. Only three covers from the 17th century known.