Document: Opinions of the several members of the council on Thomas Willett's petition

The above petition having been received and read, various pro and contra debates took place about it; therefore, it is resolved that each of the lords should state his advice as to what to undertake in this matter,

Lord director general Petrus Stuyvesant recommends that because in New England he enjoys great respect and even is a magistrate, and because from time to time he has shown himself to be a friend of this nation, they should allow Mr. Willett to trade the merchandise here that he brought in and still will bring in and to ship the return merchandise, provided that when he departs again for New England he shall report as accurate as possible the quantity of the goods he traded here, and what peltries he sent from here, in order to then settle the recognition fee of all these things for the benefit of the Company. Dated as above.

[several lines lost] Lord [ Tonneman ] agrees with the [ advice of lord de ] Sille.

Lord de Deckere agrees with the lord general’s advice, because then there will be a better possibility to settle with him.