Document: Answer of director and council to the petition of the burgomasters

Having read the above request, after deliberation it was resolved, to the first point is answered that the assessment, which the burgomasters and schepenen say the burghers of this city came up with, was allowed by the director general and councilors for the discharge of the incurred debts, according to their resolution dated 11 October 1655.[i]

To the 2nd point is answered that the burgomasters and schepenen should have shown which and what kind of imposts they are inclined to establish to be considered by the director general and councilors, whether they are least burdensome for the commonalty and can accomplish the settlement of the debt. Regarding the following conditions and request for an act that the imposts shall remain now and always to the city and be distributed by the burgomasters, [ the director general and councilors consider ] these conditions [ first, too premature; secondly, somewhat unbecoming; thirdly, unnecessary. Too premature; since it is not stated what taxes. Somewhat unbecoming; to demand a perpetual and everlasting tax, not resorted to in any place ] to the knowledge of the director general and councilors. Unnecessary; because it is [ unexampled ] that anything was taken from the burgomasters and schepenen that they imposed on the citizenry by consent of the director general and councilors. Yet, to satisfy the petitioners, the director general and councilors not only consent, but deem necessary that the burgomasters and schepenen should deliberate on some ways and means to be introduced with the previous knowledge and consent of the director general and councilors, the proceeds whereof shall be received, taken care of or employed for the benefit of this city and its inhabitants, on condition that the same, like others, shall be duly accounted for to the director general and councilors, or their authorized delegates. Done in session at Fort Amsterdam dated the 20th Sept. anno 1656. (was signed) P. Stuyvesant, Nicasius de Sille, and La Montagne.