who have to use it and whom you often make wait half a day or night, before you carry them across the river. You are hereby directed and warned, strictly to act up to the conditions, of which we annex a copy for your better information; if the complaints continue, we shall let the said Ferry publicly to somebody else at your expense. Fort Amsterdam in N. N., the 15th of February 1663. To the Noble, Very Worshipful Director-General and Honorable Council of New Netherland Show with due respect the undersigned inhabitants of the village of Breuckelen, your Honors' obedient servants, that there is near Breuckelen a place, very convenient for us to settle a new village with great advantage. It is the woodland, well known to your Honors, where there is sufficient room for twenty to thirty persons to have a good place and lot each. Except the annexed part between the third and fourth kil, there is no nearer place for making hay and providing our cattle with fodder, than the meadows adjoining this land; we therefore turn to your Honors with the humble prayer and request, that the above described land may be granted to us, each receiving his lot, as the meadows are very far and it is very difficult to bring in the hay dry and in good condition, for the preservation, with Gods blessing, of our cows and what depends on it in farming. Awaiting a favorable decision &c &c. Your Honors' obedient servants Barent Jansen his B | mark Jan Peters van Deventer The mark of Tonis Nyssen The foregoing petition was read and the Magistrates of Midwout appeared before the Board, requesting, that some plantations might be granted to them in the above described land. It is resolved, that before a final decision is given, the Surveyor shall make a survey of the said tract, to see how many plantations can conveniently be laid out there. Date as above (March 1st, 1663.) March 19th. The Director-General and Council received and read the nominations, made and submitted by the Schout and Schepens of the village of Breuckelen on Long Island. They selected from the nominees and confirmed as Schepens William Bredenbent, Albert Cornelissen, Teunis Gisbertsen. From the nominations by the Schout and Schepens of Midwout Jan Snedicker was confirmed as Schepen there and from the nominees for Amesfoort Elbert Elbertsen. Date as above. April 5th The Director-General and Council received and read the nominations, made and submitted by the Magistrates of the village of Boswyck on Long Island, from which they selected and confirmed as Commissaries Gysbert Teunissen and Barent Joosten. Pursuant to appointment, made on the 8th of February at the request of the Commissaries of Boswyck, the said Commissaries and Jean Maillart appeared before the Council. The consideration of the petition of Boswyck was resumed and the claim of Jean Maillart and the arguments of both parties were heard. The Director-General and Council decide, that Jean Maillart shall give up,- because it is for the advancement of the village, as much land as is required for six lots, each lot being six rods wide and fifteen and one half long, on condition, that the parties, who are to receive these lots, shall pay to him upon demand 25fl for each lot. Fort Amsterdam in N. N. Date as above (April 5th) To the Noble, Very Worshipful Director-General and Honorable Council of New Netherland. Show with humility and respect Dirck Volckertsen, Gysbert Teunissen, Hendrick Willemsen, Barent Joosten, Peter Jansen Witt, David Joghemsen, Jan Maillart, Barent Gerritsen and Mr. Jacob Strycker as attorney for Jacob Steendam, that they have considered the great expenses, which each of them would have to incur by fencing in his lands, especially as wood is growing scarce around there and hard to obtain and the fences would cost a great deal. The petitioners would be willing, to enclose all their lands near Boswyck on Long Island by a ring fence, which would run from the Noormans kil North along the village of Boswyck to Mespats kil and each of the petitioners would pay his share of the expenses for this ring fence in proportion to his acreage. About 450 morgens could be enclosed in this fence, which would probably cost 400ff; while if each petitioner were to put up a fence around his land, it would cost altogether 4000fl, which is too heavy a tax on the petitioners. It is also to be considered, that this ring fence can be so put up on the petitioners' lands, that it will not overlap on or injure any of the neighbors' lands or give offence to them. To close the fence and allow a passage for wagons, carts, people and animals, it would be necessary to make a turnstile, which, under correction, should be placed near the end of Peter Jansen Witt's lot. But as your petitioners are aware, that they cannot make such a fence and turnstile without your Honors' consent, they turn to you with the humble prayer and request, that your Honors will allow them to build the fence and make the turnstile, as described, for the above reasons. Which doing &c Gysbert Teunissen David Joghemsen Your Honors' humble servants In the name and behalf of all their above mentioned neighbors. To the Noble, Very Worshipful Diirector-General and Council of New Netherland. Humbly show your always ready and obedient servants, here undersigned, all living in the village of Boswyck: they have learned, that some of their fellow-inhabitants have by a petition asked your Honors' permission, to build a fence from Noormans to Mespaths kil and to make a turn stile in the same on the road of the village. This would injure your petitioners, because three roads would be closed by the fence, to wit, one to the wood point, another to Mespath kil and the third from the West end of Boswyck village to Noormans kil. Some of the Company's land would also be enclosed in this fence, to which we have as much right as they, who want to build the fence. We should be compelled when going with produce to the strand in ox carts, to take with us a farm laborer to drive the oxen back from the strand and open the stile for them, which would take in going and coming three quarters of an hour's time. If we do it ourselves we run the risk of having our things stolen, because we cannot unyoke our oxen on the public highway. Furthermore, our pigs would be prevented from going to the kil, where they obtain most of their food. Your petitioners desire to receive from your Honors and enjoy as many privileges as they, who try to deprive us of the same, for the road from the village of Boswyck to the woodpoint goes partly through the Company's land, partly through Dirck Noorman's, which he, Noorman, has given to the village, when it was yet woodland. We desire to live with each other in peace, harmony and love, but it seems, that persons coming from outside try to injure us, which your petitioners hope, your Honors will help us to prevent. Which doing etc The 7th of April 1663. EVERT HEMAN JAN YSELSTEYN WILMAN TRAPHAGEN JEAN CUIER JAN CORN. ZEEU, his mark JAN HENDRICKSEN, his mark Upon receipt and perusal of the foregoing petitions it was resolved to view the place on the first fair day. Note: The place having been inspected the following order was made on the 10th of April and affirmed on the 19th: The foregoing petitions were received; the situation was inspected by the Director-General and Council, who after listening to and considering the arguments of both sides, declare, that everybody must have liberty to fence in the land granted to him in the easiest and least expensive manner, but as also good roads are required and necessary for the welfare and growth of the village, the Director-General and Council decide, That the first petitioners may fence in and enclose their lands with one fence and as a common wagon-road and driftway to the strand is required for the behoof of the village across their land, reason and equity demand, that this road and driftway shall be secured by a fence and the fence kept in repairs by all the inhabitants of the village, in order that the owners of the land may not suffer any damage now or hereafter. If the inhabitants of Boswyck or a majority of them oppose and refuse, to make this common fence and keep it in repair, then the request of the first petitioners is granted, provided they leave free for the public use a lane or wagonroad across their land to the strand, which lane or road the owners may close at the end of the village with a turnstile, and also provided, that they erect and keep at the strand a corral or stable, where, people driving down must place and fasten their oxen or horses for the time, they remain on the strand, that the owners of lands may not suffer any damage in their crops. Thus done, decided and resolved at the meeting of the Director-General and Council of New Netherland on the date as above and confirmed on the 19th of April. Thursday, April 12th. Received and read a petition of Govert Loockermans, who in the name and as representative of Cornelis Jansen de Zeeuw, Jan Teunissen, Harbert Claesen, Gerrit Reyniersen, owners of land at Canarisse and inhabitants of the village of Amesfoort on Long Island, remonstrates, that they suffered great losses in their crops on the Canarisse, because they lived so far from their land and therefore requested permission, to make there a settlement of six houses. Answered: Referred to the Magistrates of Amesfoort for report to the Director-General and Council. Date as above. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF THE DIRECTORS TO STUYVESANT: PROCEEDINGS OF CONNECTICUT ON LONG ISLAND; FORTIFICATIONS; HUGUENOTS; QUAKERS. (APRIL 16th, 1663.) As to your anxiety over the patent lately obtained by Governor Winthrop for the Colony of Hartford, and the proceedings resulting therefrom, in which they have endeavored by notifications. and warnings to draw the English in the village of Long Island from our jurisdiction into theirs ; we admit, that such proceedings by more powerful neighbors are suspicious. You will have learned since that time, that the peace between England and our State has been concluded and therefore such attacks from the English are not to be expected henceforth, but for the sake of greater safety we consider it highly necessary and have recommended in the enclosure, that proper attention be paid to the safety and protection of the mouths of the rivers on Long Island and Staten Island; you must not delay this, so that envious neighbors may thereby be discouraged from further invasions and undue usurpations and we may keep our own in peace and without fear. We see here no or only very little chance to bring about a final settlement of the boundary question between us and the English: it must be done there and the return of Governor Winthrop, who as we understand has sailed from England to New Netherland, will undoubtedly offer you a good opportunity. He has always shown himself a friend of our nation and the government there and would have liked to come, we are told, and confer with the Company, if his sudden departure or, as others say, the fear of raising suspicion had not prevented him. We urge you most seriously, to employ all possible means for the final accomplishment of this so long desired settlement. No doubt, if some of our people have sold their beavers in Boston at high prices in silver, they will feel encouraged to continue trading there, at least as long as the English are willing and they are able to make a profit on the goods and merchandises, which they purchase there at the same prices as here. But this would injure the Dutch trade and diminish the Company's revenues as you well understand, and must therefore be prevented, anyway merchandise imported that way must pay the same customs and convoy duties, as the goods, brought from here, and the duties upon beavers, exported via New England, should be increased. We do not know, what duties are paid on beavers and therefore must call on you for information, while we give you to consider, whether it would not be more advantageous for the Company to have these duties demanded and collected by officers of the Company, because the farmer of the customs contracts for one half only and less, as experience must now have taught you. We leave this to your consideration. You have not been correctly informed in regard to a renewed request of the oppressed Piemontese for transportation to New Netherland, but we have been approached on a similar subject by and in the name of the Protestant people of Rochelle, who are now also considerably oppressed and deprived of their privileges. Although we cannot as yet say much about it, it is not unlikely that it will go on some time and then we shall not fail to give you timely notice before they arrive, that you may make the necessary preparations. As in the meantime more and more people will come there from here every day, we think, that you should not delay the purchasing of fertile and conveniently located lands from the natives, to anticipate the English and be in possession of these lands more rightfully and peacefully. You will act accordingly. Your last letter informed us that you had banished from the Province and sent hither by ship a certain Quaker, John Bowne by name: although we heartily desire, that these and other sectarians remained away from there, yet as they do not, we doubt very much, whether we can proceed against them rigorously without diminishing the population and stopping immigration, which must be favored at a so tender stage of the country's existence. You may therefore shut your eyes, at least not force people's consciences, but allow every one to have his own belief, as long as he behaves quietly and legally, gives no offence to his neighbors and does not oppose the government. As the government of this city has always practised this maxim of moderation and consequently has often had a considerable influx of people, we do not doubt, that your Province too would be benefitted by it. * EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF STUYVESANT TO THE DIRECTORS; ENCROACHMENTS BY CONNECTICUT; (May 14th 1663). * * * We rejoiced to learn from your letters the settlement of the difficulties between the Crown of England and our government, which somewhat diminished our fears and anxieties concerning further usurpations of your territories here, but did not quite allay them, as our last letter by the "Vos" may have told you. Our neighbors of Hartford have not yet desisted from extending their undefined limits according to their new patent, as enclosure No.- will tell you. You will also learn from it, how impossible it is to obtain a favorable settlement of the boundary question here from people, actuated by such a haughty and insatiable spirit and supported by a patent so ample and unlimited in regard to your territory, which is not mentioned in the articles of peace nor in the patent: this causes great anxiety to your faithful servants and good subjects. Our official position, honor and duty compel us to remind you once more, even to pray in behalf of your subjects, that the so often demanded and so necessary settlement of the boundaries be brought up for discussion by a special letter from their High: Might: and obtained from his |