Document: Answer of director and council to the remonstrance of the merchants of New Amsterdam

Reply made to the above petition:

The petitioners are referred to the previous reply of the director-general and council given to their previous petition dated 22 November 1653, and, pursuant to its tenor, are ordered once again to show cause why 100 to 120 percent is not a sufficient mark-up on goods and merchandise transported here from the fatherland, as a consequence of the orders drawn up for good reasons and made not only by the director-general and council but also by the representatives of the respective Dutch colonies and jurisdictions of this province, without whose knowledge and advice the orders and regulations cannot or ought not be countermanded or annulled. However, in consideration of the present opportunity the director-general and council have ordered their fiscal to exercise all possible moderation for the period of time until the aforesaid order has been communicated to the lords-directors, and their ratification thereof has been received or until the director-general and council and the aforesaid representatives of the respective Dutch colonies and jurisdictions have given other orders and the matter has been more closely considered. Dated 24 December 1653; below was written: By order of the honorable director-general and council; and was signed: Cornelis van Ruyven, secretary.