Document: Proposal of the director-general to enclose the city at the river side by palisades and complete the stone wall of the fort

The honorable lord director argued and brought to attention that as long as this city is open at the waterside it is impossible to prevent the great illicit trade which daily occurs here, and that therefore it is highly necessary to have this fenced off with palisades as soon as possible according to the resolution of 25 May, to which his honor says that the burgomasters of this city offered and contracted to contribute and pay one-third of the costs thereof. Therefore, we think that in order to continue the necessary work the more rapidly, the cutting, the bringing here, and the placing of a certain quantity of palisades should be contracted out publicly to the person who is willing to do that for the lowest amount,[i] so that one can know exactly how much it will cost. Further [several lines lost] there [ ] to bring [ ] through which [ the necessary ] works, putting up the palisades [ ] walling the fort could continue simultaneously. Amsterdam N: Netherland. Dated as above.

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 8.