Document: Letter from the directors at Amsterdam to the municipal officers at New Amsterdam

1654, 18th of May.

Honorable, Worshipful, Pious, Dear and Faithful.

You may ascertain our resolutions upon the points, submitted by you lately, from the enclosed extract,[1] which we have decided to send you as answer with the command that you are to act pursuant to its tenor as far as it concerns you. We cannot let this occasion pass without informing you that it has appeared strange to us that you or some of you have allowed yourselves to be incited by some evil-minded persons so as not only to help arranging without order a meeting, but also to present remonstrances, which we think were at this time very much out of place, although it is represented differently. We write more in detail on this subject to the director general and council who will communicate with you in due time; meanwhile we recommend and charge you to behave quietly and peacefully, to obey the authorities placed over you and by no means join with the English or other private parties in holding conventicles, either for the sake of deliberating affairs of state, which is not your business, or, which is still worse, to make changes in the province and its government. We have wished to warn you and give you advice, before we make other dispositions. Relying hereon that you will act according to your duty and conscience, we close commending you to the protection of God,

Amsterdam,the 18th of May 1654.

[ADDRESSED:] To the Burgomasters and Schepens of New Amsterdam.

Abr. Wilmerdonx
Edward Man.