Propositions submitted by the director general, Petrus Stuyvesant, to the honorable council at the session of 10 November 1655.
The differences of opinion encountered now and then to our great concern regarding the distressing situation in which the country has fallen, as a result of the last unfortunate confrontation between our nation and the Indians, each one arguing about it according to his opinion—if not passion—the one for peace, the other for war. It is impossible to serve such contrary masters or to please such antagonistic parties, which has made it necessary, both for better redress of matters as for better justification, to present the following to your honors in writing and to request your wise written council thereon.
First, whether the war entered into with the natives (as a result of the latest confrontation between us and the Indian nation) is legal and justifiable.
Second, whether the war, being justifiable, is timely at the present time; if not, then when.
Third, suppose that the war should be judged justifiable and timely; whether it can be brought to a desirable conclusion with the forces that we presently have without endangering the country in general.
We earnestly request the honorable councilors for their written opinion on the foregoing propositions, given either collectively or individually; the latter is preferred to avoid partiality. For our part we shall not fail to place our opinion on the table beside those of your honors, so that the lords superiors in the fatherland may be all the better informed concerning the state of affairs, and so that we may arrive at a salutary resolution.
Furthermore, whereas it is evident from the invoices that the recognition fees of the return ships will not approach a third of the income from the past year, and on the other hand, the accrued expenses related to the Southern expedition, and the ransoming of some prisoners and other extraordinary expenses, amounting to much more than the previous years; as a result the treasury has become so depleted that it shall be extremely difficult to be able to maintain the garrison through the winter, indeed, not without involving us once again in great debts. All the more so because we shall have to maintain the military in necessary clothing and provisions as the need requires, your honors’ advice is especially requested today concerning whether it is not necessary to discharge some them or to consider means of support in order to maintain them. We think one or the another is necessary.
Moreover, [ your honors’ advice is requested ] on what means of support and how to employ them, in view of the fact that not everyone obeys the respective courts of our nation, to which the letters of the lords superiors are delivered.
Finally, whereas there are still some Curagao horses left over, besides those that have been sold, which were not found at the first auction; what is to be done with them if they are found in the woods and should appear again.
The fourth point has been omitted in its regular order, namely, if the war is to be excused for a period of time until further orders from the fatherland, whether because of its illegality, or its untimeliness, or its excesses, what is to be done at the present time regarding the Indians: First concerning the losses suffered;
Second concerning the prisoners still held by the Wiequaskeckse and Highland Indians.[1]
After reading it aloud to the honorable councilors, a copy was given to each one. Ady ut supra in New Netherland. (Was signed:) P. Stuyvesant.[2]
