Document: Petition of burgomasters and schepens of New Amsterdam for leave to erect a pier

Honorable [ lords ],

The burgomasters and schepenen of the city of Amsterdam in N: Netherland respectfully show your honors the inconvenience experienced by the citizenry and the inhabitants of this city, as well as by the merchants and traders because of the floating away of the bridge, where before they could unload and load their wares and merchandise very conveniently and with little trouble. And whereas they, petitioners ex officio, are obligated to take care of and seek the best for the burghers and inhabitants of this city, they amicably request your honors to allow them, for their convenience and that of the merchants, to build a landing where the yachts, sloops, and scows can unload and load their cargo, and in addition, that your honors estimate such a price as your honors think ought to be drawn for each last. Expecting hereupon your honors’ favorable disposition, we remain your honors’ subservient servants, the burgomasters and schepenen of the aforesaid city (lower stood) By order of the same (was signed) Joannes Nevius, secretary (dated in the margin) Actum Amsterdam in N: Netherland, the 9th of November 1658.

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 8.