Document: Letter from the director and council to all governors, deputy governors, magistrates and Christian neighbors

To all esteemed governors, vice-governors, magistrates and Christian neighbors -[ may you have ] an abundance of health, honor and prosperity

Whereas a certain Johan van Beecq and Maria Verleth, assisted by Casper Verleth and Augustines Heerman, secretly departed for New England between 26 and 27 February in order to marry there, it is presumed, without the knowledge and against the prohibition of the aforesaid Johan van Beecx’ father, which was expressed in writing by the father to prevent such within this province until further advice and instructions from Mr. Isack van Beeck, father and guardian of the aforesaid minor, Johan van Beecq; therefore, all neighbors, governors, vice-governors, magistrates and servants of God's word are hereby not only informed thereof, but also amicably requested not to marry the aforesaid persons or confirm them in the state of matrimony but, according to divine and secular laws to return [ ] to their competent [ ] which or in respect of Christian [ ] secular orders or with regard to our [ ] , we hereby obligate ourselves in a [ ] and like measure, indeed, in a greater measure of neighborly courtesy and friendship in which we shall place our trust. After cordial greetings we are and remain ... In the margin was written: Done at the session of the honorable director-general and high council held in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland on the day and in the year stated above; next to it was written: your honors' cordial friends and neighbors; and was signed: P. Stuyvesant; below was written: By order of the honorable director-general and high council of New Netherland; and was signed: Cornelis van Ruyven, secretary.

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 council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809. Volume 5.