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Thus far for the present in answer to your letter; what follows is for your instruction and information.

On account of the many fold complaints made to us from time to time against Cornelis van Tienhoven, the Fiscal, and his brother Adrian van Tienhoven, Inspector of imported goods and merchandises, we have decided to dismiss them from the service of the Company and further order and direct, that neither of them shall henceforth be employed in any public service or civil office. You will let the first councillor, Nicasius de Sille, provisionally perform the duties of Fiscal and engage as Inspector some other fit and honest person. We intend however, to keep the Company's Warehouse there henceforth well provided with soldiers' clothing and what belongs to it; the ship "Bontekoe" is now already taking over something of the kind, for which see the enclosed invoices and bills of lading: for the distribution and management of them a faithful and honest man is needed as Commissary, who shall be held responsible for the property and give a detailed account of it from time to time and we desire it expressly understood, that we expect such account to be rendered to us, because we shall charge the account of the Warehouse administrator with whatever is sent to him. We think therefore that the duties of both Inspector and Commissary can be performed by one honest and experienced man, and if you believe Johan de Deckere the right man, of which we have no doubt, you may appoint him and for the present let him also take one of the members of the Council; but if the said Decker does not like it or cannot well be missed from his present office, then we approve of his appointment as Chief Commissary at Fort Orange in place of Dyckman.

We enclose the act of approval just received from their High: Might: the States General for the settlement of the boundaries agreed upon at Пlartford in New England in 1650. As we have said above, you must be careful and not let the document pass out of your hands, unless the New England people can exhibit and submit a similar consent and approval from their home government.

The care and tender affection, which we have had all the time for promoting the increase of population and the cultivation of New Netherland, has induced us to resolve and decide, that henceforth all mechanics and farmers, who can prove their ability to earn a living there, shall receive free passage for themselves, their wives and children; provided that whenever they wish to return here, they shall pay double fare. We have further decided for the benefit of the inhabitants there, to trouble the Burgomasters of this City again and request their Worships' assistance in our endeavors, to have New Netherland tobacco exempted from the duties here. We have yet to learn the result.

We have been highly astonished, that in your letter you say not a word about the logwood in the above mentioned ships. Although we suppose, we know the truth about it, yet we cannot say, whether it was forgotten by accident and stuck in the pen, and are completely ignorant of the facts. You will therefore send us by the next ship a full report and information about it: do not fail to do so. You must also send us an account and report on the horses and salt, brought there in the "Liefde," Anne Douwesen, skipper, from Curaçao, that we may make sure of it and see, what disposition has been made of them.

We are informed here, that a cask containing 90 hats or hoods, marked WH and after the closing of the invoices sent on board the "Waegh" by the widow of Willam Hensen for Cornelis van Ruyven, has not turned up there and as the duties for it have been promptly paid to the Company, inquiries should be made of Captain Coninck and of the skipper of the said ship "Waegh" and the cask must be found, to prevent just complaints.

The enclosed list will tell you the number of soldiers, going over with these ships. We wish, we could have engaged more of them, but for the present it was impossible. You may expect the rest with the next ships and as on account of the sudden and unexpected departure of the ships the soldiers now going have not taken the oath here, we recommend that you administer it to them upon their arrival.

The hasty departure of the ships is also the cause of our sending only part of the ammunition, which we had decided to send according to the enclosed statement; there remain here yet 100 firelocks and matchlocks and 50 pistols, which could not all be made and got ready. We must therefore await for them the next opportunity. You will see from the enclosed invoice, how much ammunition we send at present by the "Bontekoe," also what tools and implements for securing prisoners, heretofore required.

We close herewith and shall reply to all unanswered points in your letter by the next ship: meanwhile you will punctually execute our orders, for the service of the Company requires it.

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Enclosed the invoice of private goods and merchandises, shipped in the "Bever," to the unloading of which the Fiscal must pay proper attention.

By order of the Directors

A. B. DE DECKERE, junior

COUNCIL MINUTE. NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF SHERIFF AND MAGISTRATES FOR FLUSHING AND FOR GRAVESEND.

The nominations made by the Magistrates and inhabitants of the village of Vlissingen was received and read and upon their request, that the Director-General and Council elect from their number the Magistrates, the Director-General has chosen and confirmed for the ensuing year William Hallett as Schout.

William Lawrence as presiding Magistrate.

Edward Farrington as second.

William Noble as third.

Thus done in Council held at Fort Amsterdam March 25th 1656.

Honoured Governour.

Wee of Gravesend according to the tenure and previlidge of our pattent have for this yeare according to our usuall manner made Choice of William Bouue, William Wilkins and Edward Brouse for our Maiestrates (: all which have stood formerlie in place and are well knowne to your honour:) and allsoe of John Cooke for Schout, whoe Likewise is well knowne and approued

amongst us for an honest man all which by these our neighbours wee present unto your honour humblie desiring there Confirmation and Establishment and Remaine

March, this 24th

1656 sti: no:

Yours in all Loyaltie and fidellitie John Tilton

clerc in the name and behalfe of the whole inhabitans as aboue sa.

The foregoing having been received and read in Council, it was resolved to confirm the chosen Magistrates and Schout for the ensuing year.

Done in Council held in Fort Amsterdam, on the day as above.

COUNCIL MINUTE. NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENT OF MAGISTRATES FOR MIDWOUT, AMESFOORT AND BRUECKELEN.

March 28th Tuesday.

Having received and read in Council the nomination made by the Schout and Schepens of the villages of Midwout and Amesfoort and their request, that the Director-General and Council fill the places of the Schepens, who according to former instructions have served their terms and will go out of office, therefore the Director-General and Council have chosen out of the number of nominated persons, in place of those going out, for the ensuing year and herewith confirm as Schepens for the village of Midwout Jan Strycker and Peter Loth, while they continue Jan Snedicker for good reasons as presiding Schepen: for the village of Amesfoort Marten Jansen of Breuckelen and authorize the Schout Pieter Tonneman to administer the usual oath to the incoming Schepens.

Having received and read in Council the nomination made by the Schout and Schepens of Breuckelen and their request, that the Director-General and Council fill the places of the Schepens, who according to instructions have served their term and are going out of office, the DirectorGeneral and Council of N. N. have chosen and confirmed, as they hereby choose and confirm for the ensuing year, in place of the outgoing Schepen Frederick Lubbersen, as Schepen of the village of Breuckelen William Bredenbent and continue in office for the present Albert Cornelissen, Joris Dircksen and Joris Rapailje.

Thus done in Council held at Fort Amsterdam, on the day as above.

PETITION OF THE MAGISTRATES OF BREUCKELEN FOR AN ORDER OBLIGING PROPRIETORS OF VACANT LOTS TO BUILD THEREON AND ORDER OF THE COUNCIL TO THAT EFFECT.

To the Very Worshipful, Honorable
Director-General and Council of
New Netherland.

Humbly and reverently show the Magistrates of Breuckelen, that for some years past a number of lots have remained unused and vacant, which they believe to be contrary to the resolutions and desires of their Honors, the Director-General and High Council. The said Magistrates

therefore request your Honors' permission, to affix and publish in the said village notices, directing the owners of lots, which ought to have been built on long before now, to erect buildings thereon within two months or such time, as your Honors may deem proper and under such penalties as your Honors may prescribe. The petitioners further believe that such an order would benefit the community and increase the population of the village of Breuckelen. Awaiting your Honors' favorable decision they remain Breuckelen, the 20th

March 1656.

Your Honorable Worships' faithful servants
The Magistrates of Breuckelen.

By order PETER TONNEMAN, Secretary pro hac.

The foregoing request having been read, the following decision was made:

Director-General and Council admit the fairness of the request, but direct, that if in two months the order cannot be obeyed, it must be done within six months at the latest, under penalty of confiscation. Date as above (March 28th 1656).

COUNCIL MINUTE. APPLICATION FROM THE MAGISTRATES OF MIDWOUT FOR ASSISTANCE

THEIR MINISTER AND ANSWER OF THE COUNCIL.

TO PAY

The Schepens of the village of Midwout appeared before the Council and demonstrated, that the subscription obtained for the support of their present minister Domine Johannes Polhemius amounting to about 600 guilders was only a voluntary contribution and that they could not rely upon it every year, as the inhabitants of the said village, who had settled there only lately and were still without means, would find it a heavy tax and burden upon themselves to contribute so much every year. Now as the said Domine had requested, that they should not only pay him the arrears, but also give him henceforth a fixed salary or else he would remove as soon as an opportunity offered, they ask for advice, what to do and how much the Director-General and Council would contribute for the minister's support in the name of the Honble Company.

The answer of Director-General and Council is: They authorize the said Schepens to make a contract with the said D' Polhemius, provided that they take care to fulfill the engagements they make and collect the means thereto from the community, as the Company has had many and heavy expenses for years, without receiving any assistance. Besides 700 guilders have already been advanced to the said D° Polhemius for account of the Company during the eighteen months of his residence here and considering the present troubles and scarcity of funds in the Company's treasury, they cannot promise or consent to do so in the future. This may serve for their government. Date as above (March 28, 1656).

NOMINATION OF MAGISTRATES FOR THE TOWN OF MIDDELBOROUGH, L. I.

Midleborough, March 30, 1656 Novo stilo.

Right Honorable. According to our vsual and annual Custome we are bold to present you

with a vew or list of names out of which you may be pleased to elect our Magistrates for our Towne and soe we rest your Honours

To our Honoured and much esteemed Gouernour Peeter Stephesant Esquire, these bee.

WILLIAM WOOD Clerecus.

in behalfe of the Towne.

The names of the parties presented
*M. Robert Coe.

*M. Feecke.

Edward Jessup.

Sam Tour.

*Richard Betts.

Ralph Hunt.

RESOLUTION OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE W. 1. Co., DEPT. OF AMSTERDAM, CONCERNING A SHIP FROM MEDEMBLICK SENT TO CURAÇAO WITH NEGRO SLAVES.

Monday, the 3d of April 1656.

This Board having been informed, that with a commission from the Director of Medemblick, under the Department of West Friesland and the North Quarter, a ship has sailed for the coast of Africa for slaves to be sold at Curaçao or on the Main, resolved to prevent such sale or trade and write to the Vice-Director Beck to hold the said ship and slaves there and proceed against them, as the law shall prescribe.

COUNCIL MINUTES. APPOINTMENT OF MAGISTRATES FOR MIDDELBURGH (NEWTOWN L. I.) RESOLUTION TO OFFER FOR SALE THE HOUSE AND LOT CALLED THE OLD CHURCH, ON THE EAST RIVER, NEW AMSTERDAM. PETITION OF SARAH JORESEY, FIRST BORN CHRISTIAN DAUGHTER IN NEW NETHERLAND, FOR A PIECE OF LAND ON L. I. AND ORDER OF THE COUNCIL.

April 4th 1656.

Received the nominations made by the people of the village of Middelburgh with their request, that the Director-General and Council select therefrom the Magistrates of the said village for the ensuing year. Thereupon Director-General and Council of New Netherland have selected and confirmed, as they hereby select and confirm, as Magistrates of the said village for the ensuing year Mr. Robert Coo, Mr. Feecke, Richard Betten. Date as above.

Present in Council his Honor, the Director-General Petrus Stuyvesant and the Councillors Nicasius de Sille, La Montagne and Cornelis van Tienhoven.

Resolved, that on Saturday, the 8th of April, the house, lot and buildings thereon called the Old Church and formerly tenanted by Capt. Newton, situate and lying on the East river in the alley running between it and Fiscal Tienhoven's house, opposite the house of S Hendrick Kip be sold at public auction to the highest bidder.

To the Very Worshipful, Honorable Director-General and High Council of New Netherland.

Humbly and reverently shows Sarah Joresey, first born Christian daughter in NewNetherland, widow of the late Hans Hansen and burdened with seven children, that your Honble Worships have granted her a piece of land of about 20 morgens in the Waale bocht upon

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