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All and everyone who [      ] inclined to take and observe the following oath of allegiance at the hands of Lord Petrus Stuyvesant, director-general of New Netherland, shall be allowed to remain as freemen at this South River of New Netherland and to gain their livelihood as good and free inhabitants. On the other hand, those who may object to the following oath on conscientious grounds are allowed to leave this province of New Netherland, disposing of their private effects to their best advantage, and shall enjoy free passage for their departure from here.

The oath reads:

I, the undersigned, promise and swear in the presence of the All-knowing and Almighty God that I shall be loyal and faithful to the honorable High and Mighty Lords, the States- General of the United Netherlands, together with the honorable lords, directors of the Chartered West India Company, and likewise the lords and patroons of this province of New Netherland, their director-general and councilors, already appointed or to be appointed hereafter; and remain without engaging or assisting in any act of hostility, sedition or conspiracy in. word or deed against the same, but to conduct myself as an obedient and faithful subject as long as I shall continue to stay at the South River of New Netherland.

References

Translation: Gehring, C. trans./ed., New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vols. 18-19, Delaware Papers: Dutch Period, 1648-1664 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1981).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.