Translation
Petition of Brant van Slechtenhorst to be released from confinement
The Petition of Brant van Slechtenhorst.
With all due reverence, Brant van Slectenhorst, director of the colony of
Rennselaerswyck, lets it be known how he and his associates in the aforesaid Colony
have repeatedly and urgently requested that the petitioner be released from the
arrest in which he has been held since last April 18th, and that he may receive
permission to return to the Colony in order to attend to the patroon's urgent
business in the Colony, which until now has not been granted; and whereas in the
meantime, with the arrival of the ships from the fatherland, the situation has
changed in so far that the lords patroons have approved the petitioner's request to
be discharged from the Colony's service and to appoint someone as his successor, whom
it is necessary to inform of the situation and state of the Colony, and because this
can only be done by the petitioner and because, furthermore, the Colony has been
deprived of the service of its director for such a length of time, and nothing can be
done without the director, which tends to the great disadvantage and loss of the
Colony and of the lords patroons. Therefore, in order to prevent further loss and
damage, he has resolved to address your honors once again very respectfully, and to
request, in consideration of the foregoing, and so that, with all due respect, the
serious charges of private parties ought not obstruct the service and welfare of the
Colony, that your honors be pleased [ to allow the
petitioner to proceed to the Colony for the aforesaid purposes, while he promises
to return here immediately ] upon your honor's orders and offers as
security his own person and property. Awaiting a favorable reply to his petition he
remains,
2 September 1652
Your honors' willing servant, B. van
Slechtenhorst