Document: Votes and opinions of the magistrates on the petition that only Indian brokers be allowed in the Indian trade

Extraordinary Session Held in Fort Orange ultimo May, 1660

Andries Herpertsen is of opinion that neither Indians nor Christians ought to run in the woods as brokers.

Sander Leendersen agrees with the above.

Jan Verbeeck adheres to the former resolution, to wit, that the matter is to be regulated according to the vote of the majority of the community.

Frans Baerentsen is of opinion that inasmuch as the community has been legally summoned to express their opinion in the matter of the trade, it is to be regulated with the vote of the majority and they shall have the preference.

Evert Jansen Wendel is of opinion that neither Indians nor Christians ought to run in the woods as brokers.

La Montagne is of opinion in this difficult matter, where there are two directly opposite parties, one asking to be allowed to employ Indian brokers and no Christians, and the other Christians and no Indians, that, according to the ordinance issued about die said matter in the year 1654 and since then published here every year,[1] no brokers of either nation shall be employed, but that the Indians unsolicited shall be allowed to trade their beavers where they please.