Document: Resolution to enclose the city of New Amsterdam by a double row of palisades

[several lines lost] and merchandise [ ]

prevent nor [ ] can be retrieved nor [ ] the same with great difficulty at various [ ] because this city [ ] on the river [ banks ] and therefore [ people ] can sail to and from board[i] at ungodly hours, [ as much ] as the smugglers wish—against which measures need to be taken. It was and is unanimously considered necessary and useful to have this city fenced off with a double row of palisades, and to leave no more than two or three openings therein that can be shut at night in order to be able to sail through those with the scows to and from board (to load and unload), which will serve not only to prevent smuggling a great deal, but also as a defense in the evening or morning against a jealous or malicious neighbor or Indian. It is resolved to set this to work at the first opportunity and carry it into execution. Thus done in Fort Amsterdam in N: Netherland, the 25th of May 1658.

P. Stuyvesant Nicasius de Sille Pieter Tonneman