Document: Answer to the protest of the merchants for not being permitted to proceed to Holland

Following is the decision made on the above petition:

It seems strange to the director general and councilors of New Netherland that the subjects protest against their lawful authorities concerning a resolution [ ] beneficial to the country in an urgent situation, made with the unanimous consent of the burgomasters of this city, for which disrespect the director general [ ]

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[ ] for this time [ ] a fine of 25 guilders [ ] and hereby [ ] the secretary [ ] now nor afterwards to the underwritten [ ] be obeyed before each [ ] shall pay the aforesaid fine [ ] closer reiteration of the resolution [ ] to be deprived of men, the director general [ ] that no one shall depart for the present time [ ] who has been in the country at least twelve months, the others are to [ ] according to the resolution until further notice.

Thus done at the session of the honorable director general and councilors held at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, ady ut supra; present: a burgomaster and the president of the schepens. (Was signed:) P. Stuy- vesant, Nicasius de Sille, La Montagne, Cor. van Tienhoven.