Translation
Appointment of magistrates for the town of Heemsteede
To the honorable, dear and good friends, the inhabitants of the village of Midwout.[1]
[Today, dated as below, the nomination for magistrates of the village of Heemstede on
Long Island in this province of New Netherland, dated 8 December 1653, was submitted
to the honorable director-general and council. According to the privileges granted to
the aforesaid village, a double number had been nominated from which the general and
council were to make their selection. After mature deliberation and for the sake of
unity and peace among the inhabitants of the aforesaid village, they, for the
present, selected and appointed as magistrates of the village of Hemstede: Mr.
Stickland, Mr. Wasborn and Mr. Gilderslieff, who are to administer law and justice in
the aforesaid village to the best of their knowledge and information in accordance
with their privileges and the laws of New Netherland. Hereupon the above said
magistrates took the oath before the honorable director-general and council.
The
newly elected and qualified magistrates are here by authorized to call to their
assistance, in cases of absence or important actions coming up before them, two or
three capable persons out of the community or the former magistrates residing in the
aforesaid village.
Thus done at the meeting of the director-general and high
council held at Fort Amsterdam, 11 December 1653.
By order of the
director-general and high council,
Cornelis van Ruyven, secretary.] [2]