Document: Petition of several citizens, on behalf of the commonalty legally assembled, that only Indian brokers be allowed in the Indian trade

To the honorable Commissary and Magistrates of Fort Orange and the village of Beverwijck

Show with due reverence and respect, the undersigned persons, that they, the petitioners, are again awaiting the coming trading season and notice that the Christians are again about to run into the woods as brokers in order by surreptitious and improper ways to get the trade entirely into their hands, which can only tend to the general decline and utter ruination of Fort Orange and the village of Beverwijck; yes, what is more, the said running in the woods is accompanied by many excessive and shameful irregularities for which God the Lord would punish such a place, all of which has no other motive than greed. Therefore, they, the petitioners, by a majority of votes and signatures to this petition, request your honors, who sit there as good mediators, that these calamities may be timely prevented in the interest of the peace and welfare of this community and its inhabitants, but that everyone may do his business with Indian brokers. Whereupon they await a favorable and marginal apostil. Which doing, etc. Imploring, etc. In and upon everything, etc. Underneath was written: Your honors’ subjects; and was signed: Volkert Jansz, Jacob Schermerhooren, Philip Pietersen, Leendert Phlipsen, the mark of Jan van Aken, Jan Thoomassen, Aemout Comelissen, Gerrit Slechtenhorst, Jan Mangelsen, Pieter van Alen, Mathias Jansen, Dirck Jansen Croon, Gijsbert Jansen, Abraham Staets, Lambert Albersen, Hans Hendricksen, Theunis Cornelissen, Willem Teller, Ariaen Gerritsen, Carsten Fredericksen, Baerent Meyndersen, Willem Brouwer, Baerent Jansen, Lourens van Alen, and Davit Schuyler.