Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 19-23 July 1649

The honorable director general and council of New Netherland daily observing that their ordinance heretofore made and enacted respecting weights and measures[1] is not duly complied with by some, whereby the good inhabitants may be greatly defrauded; Therefore, the honorable director general and council notify all wholesale and retail traders, as well as bakers and all others who sell anything by the yard, measure or weight, to use no other yard, measure or weight in delivering or receiving than the legal Amsterdam ell, weight and measure. And in order that everything may proceed in orderly fashion, the honorable director and council have thought fit hereby to give notice to all inhabitants and traders to procure and to provide themselves between this date and the first of August next with the legal Amsterdam ell, weight and measure. Meanwhile, those who at the present time have any weights shall bring them into the Company's warehouse in the fort, to be there weighed and measured, so that in the future no subject may suffer any loss thereby. And in order that everything may be attended to and followed with greater zeal by all and everyone, the fiscal, Hendrick van Dyck, is hereby commanded and authorised after the expiration of the first of August next to inspect all ells, weights and measures as often as he shall think proper, and whoever shall then be found not to use the legal ell, weight or measure shall pay such fine as is thereto provided by law in our fatherland. Let everyone be warned hereby and guard himself against loss. Thus done in council the 17th of July; resumed and posted the 19th of July 1649, at New Amsterdam in New Netherland.

On the 23d of July Cornelis van Tienhoven presented in council a certain remonstrance and petition, put in writing on the 23d of July, upon which it is resolved by the honorable director general and council that the petitioner's request is reasonable and fair. Consequently, the accusers, whoever they may be, are expressly ordered and commanded within the space of eight days to prove their accusations by sufficient and irreproachable testimony before commissaries appointed thereto, or in default thereof to be held and declared such as the court according to law shall find proper. Thus done in council in Fort Amsterdam, New Netherland, the 23rd of July 1649. Present: the honorable director general, L. van Dincklagen, who refused to sign; H. van Dyck, La Montagne, Briant Nuton.

[ Resolution to retain and engage the Rev. Johannes Megapolensisas minister of the church at New Amsterdam ] [2]