Document: Order approving an ordinance of the town of Middletown against people leaving without notice

A certain Proclamation being delivered into Council from the Magistrates of the Town of Middeltoune, prohibiting and forbidding all inhabitants from departing out of said town, unless they give bail to return as soon as their business will have been performed, or they be employed in the public service, &c., requesting the Governor's approval of the same; which being read and considered, it is resolved and ordered by the Governor-General and Council, that no inhabitant can be hindered changing his domicile within this Province unless arrested for lawful cause; however, no one shall depart from the Town of Middeltoune unless he previously notify the Magistrates there of his intention.

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 administrative records, 1673-1674. Series A1881. Volume 23.1.