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Journal of the proceedings of the convention at the city hall, New Amsterdam

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On 26 November 1653 assembled [ at City Hall in New Netherland ] the following commissioners: on behalf of the high council in New Netherland, Mr. J. La Montagne and Cornelis Werckhoven; on behalf of the mayors and schepens of this city of New Amsterdam, Marten Krigier and Paulus Leendersz vander Grift; on behalf of the village of Gravesant, George Bacxter and Sergeant Huybert; on behalf of the village of Vlissingen, John Hicx and Tobias Feecx; on behalf of the village of New Town, Mr. Coo and Goetman Hasert.
Messrs. La Montange and Werckhoven proposed verbally as well as in writing that the commissioners should give their advice respectfully as to how and by what means these robbers can be stopped.

1.

Ensign George Bacxter and all the other English commissioners asked why Mr. Werckhoven was there, to which his honor replied, "As a commissioner of the high council." Whereupon they answered that they would have nothing to do with him and would not acknowledge him as a councillor, in addition they did understand that the director-general or his representatives should sit as chairman, because he could not protect them.

2.

The English commissioners sent a written response to the director-general as follows: "If the director representing the Chartered West India Company will not protect us, then we shall be obliged to prevent our ruin and destruction," and thereby they see fit that they are not obliged to pay any taxes or duties; however, they promised to remain loyal to the lords States [ General ] and the honorable Company, inviting the commissioners of the mayors and schepens of this city to enter into a firm alliance with them, whereupon the commissioners gave no answer but departed.

3.

The commissioners of the city of New Amsterdam were summoned by the director-general, and they repeated the foregoing in his council. His honor replied that the response was quick; nevertheless, he would tolerate that the mayors and schepens might form an alliance with them. However, because they could not be outvoted , his honor intended to grant at the next election a court of justice for those of Amesfoort, Breuckelen and Midwout so that on all future occasions, together with Fort Orange and the others, there would be sufficient votes against them. The aforesaid commissioners met again at the same place in the afternoon.

4.

Messrs. La Montagne and Werckhoven submitted a written reply from the honorable General in which he expresses his willingness to protect his subjects, according to his commission, with the power and means entrusted to him by God and his superiors. [ C. van Werckhoven testifies that he has heard and understood what has been transacted so far. ] [1] The English commissioners stated that they were not completely satisfied because Jochum Pietersz, Willem Harck and others have already been plundered, and they have seen the honorable General do very little to defend the others. Because of this they said, "We must therefore defend ourselves, for if his honor cannot protect us from 16 or 17 men, what would he do against more?" [ Here it was signed: La Montagne attests to what has transpired so far. ] [2]
The aforesaid assembly decides to meet again tomorrow morning, with the exception of Messrs. La Montagne and Werckhoven, in order to consider what to do.
On the 27th of November at 9 o'clock in the morning the aforesaid commissioners assembled, except for Cornelis van Werckhoven and La Montangnie.

5.

The English commissioners unanimously ask Marten Crigier and Poulas Leendersz, commissioners on behalf of the mayors and schepens of this city, whether they would live with them in peace as brothers and friends; to which they replied, "Yes, but no firm alliance can be made before and until the honorable General, the high council and all adjacent courts and villages have been informed of it." Whereupon the English commissioners answered, "If the mayors and schepens would not unite with them, they would form a firm alliance among themselves on Long Island because the honorable General did not defend them." The commissioners of the city of New Amsterdam answered that they thought it better to write about it to the lords directors and in the meantime promised to the best of their ability to inform and assist one another in all future incidents of robberies and the like, and to live as friends. However, concerning the letter to be written to the lords-directors, the city's commissioners requested to hear the advice of the villages of Amersfoort, Breuckelen, Midwout and Staten Island; however, at this time of year were not able to wait for advice from Fort Orange, Rensselaerswyck and the South River, because the ships are ready to depart. Whereupon it was unanimously resolved to gather again from the respective places on the 10th of this coming December in order to write to the lords superiors. Thereupon the meeting was adjourned. Done this 27th of November 1653, New Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Marten Crigier
P.L. vander Grift

Notes

This notation in brackets was written in the margin and marked for insertion at this point. Because the margin is badly damaged, this notation has been recovered from Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Volumes FXI, edited by E. B. O’Callaghan; Volumes XII- XIV, edited by Berthold Fernow; Albany, 1865-1883, 14:223.

This notation in brackets was written in the margin and marked for insertion at this point. Because the margin is badly damaged, this notation has been recovered from Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Volumes I-XI, edited by E. B. O’Callaghan; Volumes XII- XIV, edited by Berthold Fernow; Albany, 1865-1883, 14:223.

References

Translation: Gehring, C., trans./ed., New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. 5, Council Minutes, 1652-1654 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1983).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.