Document: Order for the preservation and security of New Orange

Whereas the fortifications of this city of New Orange have, at great and excessive expense, trouble and labor to the citizens and inhabitants, been for the most part brought to perfection, and it is therefore necessary that some orders be given for their preservation and the greater security of this city; therefore, the Governor-General of New Netherland hath deemed it requisite to enact the following orders and to make known by publication to the Burghers: First. From this day forward the Burgher guard of this city shall be set and commence at the beat of the drum, about half an hour before sunset, when the city soldiers then to mount guard shall parade before the City Hall of this city, on pain of paying the fine formerly affixed. Item, the city gate shall be closed by the Town Major and his accompanying men at sundown and be again opened in like form at sunrise. Item, the Burghers and inhabitants of this city and all others of what quality soever they may be, the guard alone excepted, are strictly interdicted and forbidden to attempt between sunset and sunrise in any wise going on the walls, bastions or batteries of this city on pain of corporal punishment. Item, all and every be they who they may, are most strictly interdicted and forbidden on pain of death, to presume to enter or leave this city by land by any other means, way or manner than solely through the ordinary city gate. And finally, whereas it is found that the hogs which are kept in great numbers here in this city at large in the public streets have done much damage from time to lime to earthen fortifications and that the same will again inevitably happen here to the erected works, every one who keeps any hogs within this city, is therefore ordered and commanded to be careful that their hogs shall not go to, in or on the walls, bastions, curtains or batteries on forfeiture of said hogs and double the value thereof, to be applied one-half to the informer and the other half to the officer who shall levy the execution. Let all and every be hereby warned and take heed against loss.

Dated Fort Willem Hendrick this 27th November, 1673.

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 administrative records, 1673-1674. Series A1881. Volume 23.1.