Document: Petition of the magistrates of Breuckelen for an order obliging proprietors of vacant lots to build on them

Copy.

To the honorable lord director general and councilors in New Netherland.

The court of Breuckelen makes known with all due reverence and respect how some lots [ ] unimproved and to date [ ] is contrary to the resolution and intention of the honorable director general and high councilors; therefore, those of the court request your honors’ approval that notices be affixed and posted in the same village that whosoever have lots there and should have been improved and built upon long before this, shall be obligated, within the period of two months or such time as your honors shall propose thereto, to build on their still unimproved lots, under such punishment as their honors shall deem appropriate. The aforesaid court thinks that (subject to correction) the same promotes the common good, excellent growth, and increasing population of the aforesaid village of Breuckelen. Awaiting herewith your honors’ favorable decision etc. (Beneath was written:) Remaining herewith your honors’ servants, the court of Breuckelen. (Below was written:) By order of the same (Was signed:) Pieter Tonneman, serving as secretary (dated:) Breuckelen, done the 20th day of March 1656.