Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 18-20 June 1647

Whereas the honorable director general and council have been reliably informed that several private traders, sailing to the south and who are under the jurisdiction of this government, go into the interior toward the Minquas country with cargoes of cloth, seawant and other articles, whereby not only trade is spoiled, but the traders who remain with their sloops at the usual trading posts sustain great loss and damage; and whereas, furthermore, the Indians might be tempted thereby to murder or kill such persons in order to obtain their goods, whereby this country might again be involved in trouble and war;

Therefore, for the best Interest and advantage of the West India Company and this country, we forbid and prohibit, as we do hereby, henoeforth all and every one of our inhabitants from going into the interior with trading goods or any other commodities and command them to wait at the usual trading posts for trade.

Thus done In Fort Amsterdam In New Netherland, the 18th of June anno 1647,

The honorable general and council having seen the written petition of the late Honorable Director Willem Kieft, and the same being duly weighed and considered by us, Jochim Pietersz and Cornelis Melyn are ordered to substantiate by satisfactory impartial testimony the opinions submitted to the council by Mr. Kieft and to produce in council the letter sent by the Blaeuw Haen, not the same, but the original draft or authentic copy thereof; in default whereof the fiscal may institute an action for slander against them. Thus done and ordered in council in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 18th of June anno 1647,

Whereas for the maintenance of the house The Hope, situated on the Fresh river of New Netherland and within the limits of this province, it was resolved and concluded on the 6th of June last to send a fit and faithful person thither in the stead of Commissary Davidt Provoost; therefore, we have resolved and concluded to send thither Gysbert op Dyck, former commissary of provisions, who served as commissary there for the honorable directors and therefore is acquainted with all the circumstances; which said Op Dyck shall provisionally reside there, in order to take care and have proper supervision of everything. This 20th day of June anno 1647, in New Amsterdam,