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At a Meeting of the [      ] Magistrates of Breuckelen, Midwout and Amesfoort, including the Gentlemen of the War Council, 7 April 1654 in Breuckelen.

First, the gentlemen of the honorable courts and war council have met in order to appoint the officers for the companies of these places: first under-sergeant, Jan Strycker; chosen for corporal in Midwout, Daniel Terneur; and for lance corporal, Theunis Hilbrantsz; and for cadet, Luycas Eldersz and Hendrick Joris.

Second, in the village of Amesfoort: under the sergeant, Elbert Elbertsz; Willem Gerritsz, corporal.

Third, the responsibilities of the watch are placed on each person in his capacity, and a current schepen who shall select people according to their diligence and willingness, in whom he will have confidence in times of emergency.

Fourth, in case of an attack by any pirates, bandits or any others who wish to do us harm or injury at any villages, settlements or to any of our subjects, then no one shall be free [ to go ] to or about on Long Island into the aforesaid district if there is resistance of any kind whatsoever, upon a fine of six guilders, one half for the officer and the other half for the court, or upon arbitrary punishment at the discretion of the magistrates according to the nature of the case.

Fifth, that in the villages of Breuckelen, Midwout, Amesfoort and the other dependant places every third man shall be obligated to keep himself ready to go to the places with their appointed officer or his deputy, where they shall receive orders.

Sixth, every officer, in his capacity, shall have lots drawn in the village or settlement in order to determine every third man; and whosoever draws the lot shall be bound to keep himself ready, without objection, for the aforesaid occasion.

Seventh, every inhabitant of Long Island in the aforesaid district upon detecting any enemy at night shall fire three shots in order to inform the nearest habitation, according to which they are to regulate themselves as written above.

Eighth, if anyone should cause an alarm by shooting in the absence of an emergency, he shall be fined the sum of six guilders or arbitrary punishment, as stated in the fourth article.

The above have been proposed, for the good and general welfare of the inhabitants of Long Island, for the approval of the honorable director-general of New Netherland. Was signed:

Fredrick Lubbertsz	Cornelis de Potter
Jan Snedecker	Albert Cornelissz
Nicolaes Stillwill	Jan Strycker
	Elbert Elbertsz
	Willem Bredenbent

The above agrees with the original which is entrusted to me; thereto certifies Davidt Provoost, notary public and secretary of the aforesaid places.

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.