Document: Letter from director and council to the magistrates of Heemsted, New Amsterdam

Worthy and good friends.

From the nominated persons, submitted to us, we have elected and confirmed John Symons and Robberd Assymon for the ensuing year; however, as stated before, we would consider it more proper to have an uneven number rather than an even one, in order to decide all disputes and differences. Therefore we think it would be better for the peace of the village to add a third person to the aforesaid magistrates and await the village's nomination made thereto at the first opportunity. In the meantime, we commend your honors to fear God, honor the magistrates and obey both; relying hereon, we remain your honors' devoted governor and friend; was signed: P. Stuyvesant; dated: 10 November 1654, New Amsterdam: addressed to: The general inhabitants of the village of Heemsteede.

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.