Document: Petition of burgomasters and schepens for the privilege of appointing city officers, with answer refusing

[In like manner was resolved at the aforesaid court to request by petition to the honorable director general and councilors, as follows:[i]

To the honorable director general and councilors of N. Netherland. Burgomasters and schepenen of the city of Amsterdam in New Netherland and with due respect represent:]

How they find by daily experience that it is necessary, as well at present as hereafter, to appoint and select some persons within the city, in order, as is done in our fatherland, to take care of all offices concerning the city. The petitioners therefore request of your honors that such may be conferred on the burgomasters and schepenen at the time in office to grant the said offices and positions to those who, in their estimation, shall be best and most fit thereto, but everything with the approbation of your honors the director general and councilors of New Netherland. Awaiting hereupon your honors’ favorable disposition, we remain your honors’ subjects, the burgomasters and schepenen of the city Amsterdam in New Netherland; (below was written) By order of the same (and signed) Jacob Kip, secretary (dated in the margin) Done this 31 January 1657 at the session in the city hall at Amsterdam in New Netherland.

The above petition has been decided as follows: The director general and councilors of New Netherland persist with the instructions [ ] to the burgomasters and [several lines lost].