Document: Order allowing the village of Gravesend two cannon and ammunition for its defense

At the session present: the honorable lord general Petrus Stuyvesant, Nicasius de Sille, La Montagne, and Cornelis van Tienhoven.

Having received and read the petition of the magistrates and inhabitants of the village of Gravesande, requesting, whereas they had enclosed their village with palisades, that they may be provided with 3 to 4 pieces of cannon and some munitions of war in order in time of need to be able to defend their village and its inhabitants from hostile attack.

After all due deliberation it has been resolved and decided to allow and grant them to use on behalf of the aforesaid village two of the pieces that are lying on the strand along the East River near the warehouse; they order the commissary to provide the petitioners with 50 pounds of powder, and for each piece of ordnance: 12 balls, 4 pounders. Thus done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Rights: This translation is provided for education and research purposes, courtesy of the  New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections, Mutual Cultural Heritage Project. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user. For additional information see our Copyright and Use Statement Source: New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809. Volume 6.