[ We the ] underwritten schout and burgomasters [and schepenen represent] how it has come into our hands a certain petition and complaint of the [ farmer ] of the burgher excise concerning the obstruction of the inspection of the brewers’ cellars, as can be seen in more detail in the attached petition.[i]
And whereas we have found in the ordinances of the year 1649, issued by the esteemed lords States concerning domestically brewed beers, article 34, which reads as follows: Also, the brewers and brewsters shall pay for their consumable beers the impost on each batch, whether large or small, twelve stivers, which they shall be obliged, at the request of the farmer or collector, to report under oath, without these brewers’ exemptions benefiting others than those who do the work themselves and live in the brewery; and the brewers of beers, who lay in barrels, large and small, in other houses or places outside of their premises, are obligated to pay the full impost as they also are obliged to do with all other foreign beers, whether they are laid in at their usual residence, or elsewhere, and the beer distributors [ shall pay ] for each head of their family being twelve years old, eight stivers per month, or as much as they are able to agree to with the farmer. Therefore, it is understood by us that in accordance with the aforesaid article, the farmer must be maintained and an explanation being necessary thereto, we request your honors’ interpretation, as the brewers say they are not beer distributors.
Concerning the requisite fine in the attached petition, we say that none be assessed, as the farmer wanted to do the inspection without schout or court messenger.
Awaiting your esteemed honors’ disposition and remain,
Your honors’ servants, the schout, burgomasters and schepenen (was signed) Nicasius de Sille, Allard Anthony
Johannes Prs. van Brug Jacob Strijcker
In the margin stood: Done this 23rd of
November anno 1656 at Amsterdam in New Netherland
