Document: Proclamation appointing the 1st of March to be observed as a day of general fasting and prayer

Worthy and dear friends

No one of us surely can be unaware or forget that the only good and merciful' God [ ] demonstrated and showed many special favors [ ] of which the least are not the growing population, the merciful protection against a threatened and feared war with our neighbors, unexpectedly transformed into a desired and agreeable peace, with a notable increase in prosperity and commerce, as well as fruitful and blessed harvests, and continuing health. These favors and many other notable benefits and blessings of God, used by us without sufficient observance, but sooner ungratefully misused by us, have moved our God righteously to our observance to alter the face of His favor toward us, by visiting us at the end of this past year and chastizing us, if not punishing us, with a sudden and unexpected attack by the Indians—the barbaric natives of this land—through whose cruel and murderous hands many inhabitants of this province have been ruthlessly murdered, and bereft of their possessions and blood, many farms, plantations, and houses burned, retarding the general welfare to such an extent that we may justifiably cry out with the lamenting prophet: “Alas, how the Lord has clouded us in His anger, and has cast down the splendor of the land from the heavens to the earth; the Lord has swallowed up our dwellings and has spared them not; He has cut off our horns in the surge of His anger; He has drawn back His right hand when the enemy arrived; He is kindled as a raging fire that consumes us all around”;[1] We have survived only as a hut in the vale of tears as a warning that we all shall [ ] the only good God, than be pleased [ ] the meager [ J power and means to bless such [ ] to endow the director general and councilors, together with all the lesser or [ J people and servants with wisdom [ ] and valor, in order that the [ ]dear inhabitants be brought here [ ] by His hand and extended arm, and until now protected [ ] and cruelty of the barbarians, from now on may be accepted under His protective wing, and that therefore such means may be contrived and practised as His Majesty shall be pleased to bless for the greater glory of His name; also, to pray to the Lord God for continued health and prosperity in commerce and agriculture. However, especially in order that a just and thankful use of His merciful blessings and bounties, which, so that with increased unity it can be better practised and taken to heart, we prohibit and forbid, during the Holy service on the aforesaid day of fasting and prayer, all diversions and contests of caatsen, balslaen,[2] hunting, fishing, sailing, plowing, sowing, mowing and other illicit pastimes such as gambling and drinking, upon arbitrary correction and punishment previously established thereto; just as all servants of God’s holy word, only within our jurisdiction, are admonished and beseeched to form their sermons to this end.

Thus done and concluded in our session held at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland. Ady ut supra.