Translation
Letter from the director and council to the magistrates of Gravesend
Worthy and dear friends:
I duly received your honors' letter of the 18th of this
month,[1] sent by our
fiscal, which has been communicated to the gentlemen of the high council. It has
surprised us greatly that your honors have taken upon yourself the publication of
marriage bans within your village, without our and the councillors' knowledge, for
persons both of whom live beyond the jurisdiction of your honors' village. Concerning
your honors' allegations that the person is a freeman of your village: he is also
[ a freeman ] of the city of Amsterdam and
here of this city; therefore, the marriage bans must be reported and published here
as well as there according to the customs of our fatherland. We do not deny that
matrimony is governed by divine and human laws; however, they who enter into this
state must do it according to these divine and human laws with the consent or
knowledge of their parents and guardians, and then give notice thereof to the
magistrates appointed thereto by the higher authorities, at the place where they
reside or where they have been living during the preceding years. Your final request
that we should send your honors a copy of the order and the power of attorney which
his father has given us concerning his son, we consider ourselves not obliged to do
for a subordinate bench of justice, being our subjects. In addition, the father would
be displeased and it would be unreasonable for us to communicate to others what an
honest and prominent man has written to us in a detailed letter. So much in reply to
your open letter. This further serves as cover for the enclosed order and
resolution[2] made by us
and the council which you are to obey at once, not because we wish to prevent the
marriage, but so that they may be put in effect, proclaimed and affixed at the proper
place, according to divine and human laws and ordinances, and without the infraction
of anyone's rights. Relying thereon, after cordial greetings, we commend your honors
to God's protection and shelter and remain; below was written: your honors' dear
friend and governor; and was signed: Ptr. Stuyvesant; dated: 20 January 1654, New
Amsterdam.