Translation
Minute of the appearance of the principal citizens before the burgomasters and schepens of New Amsterdam
Copy of the enclosure in the foregoing petition:
Tuesday, 11 November
1653.
Present at the meeting in City Hall of New Amsterdam.
Their honors
Arent van Hattem and Martin Cregier, mayors; Paulus Leendertsen van die Grift, Pieter
Wolfertsen van Couwenhoven and Willem Beeckman, schepens.
Some of the most
influential citizens and inhabitants of this city, having been lawfully summoned, the
following appeared: Johannis van Beecq, Pieter Cock, Jan J. Schepmoes, Jan J. Kuyper,
Peter Caspersen van Naerden, Claes Bordingh, Francois Fyn, Jan J. de Jongh, Jacob
Steendam, Conrad ten Eyck, Hans Kierstede, Isaac de Forest, Dirck Schelluyne,
Hendrick Kip, Lambert Huybertsen Mol, Peter Cornelissen van der Veer, Abram La Noy,
Jan Lawrensen Appel, Govert Loockermans, Johannis Petersen Verbruggen, Daniel
Litschoe, Jacob van Couwenhoven and Oloff Stevenson, to whom the aforesaid honorable
mayors and schepens propose that, whereas they have asked the community to provide
means for paying the public expenses and keeping in repair the works, and were
answered, if the honorable director-general will allow the excise to be paid to the
treasury of the city and for the city's benefit, they would willingly contribute;
therefore, the mayors and schepens declare that they have obtained the consent of the
honorable director-general to have henceforth the excise on wine and beer paid into
the office of the mayors and schepens for the benefit of this city, but, for the
present, no ready money is on hand and yet is much needed during these dangerous
times; and wherefore some general taxes should be considered, the aforesaid
magistrates ask the community whether they will submit to such ordinances and taxes
as the magistrates may consider proper and necessary for the administration of this
city. They all answered "yes" and promised to obey the honorable magistrates in
everything, as good inhabitants are obliged to do, confirming it with their
signatures. Done as above at New Amsterdam in New Netherland; was signed: