Document: Order on the representation of the delegates from Fort Orange and Beverwyck

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[ ] of Fort Orange [ ] Beverwijck pursuant to their instructions [ ] dated 15 June of this year, presented to the high council of New Netherland on behalf of their board, requesting continuance of the farming of the tappers’ excise, the high councilors give as answer that the same has been done and that by virtue of the document, dated 13 May 1654, sent to and granted them; which document and order the high councilors promise to maintain. However, whereas the commissary and commissioners are to have those who refuse to pay the excise legally summoned to report the beer and wine properly, the lords councilors shall remain hesitant to issue a timely warning about it, until the lord fiscal proceeds against the violators, according to legal custom, and against whomever encourages them in their disobedience as is appropriate. In the meantime notify the farmer to pay good attention to what the violators lay in.

With regard to the abuse of running into the woods to draw Indians out of the woods with their beavers, and the subsequent misfortunes that might arise because of it, the commissary and commissioners of the aforesaid Fort Orange and Beverwijck shall be permitted, in our behalf, to draft, enact, publish, post, and enforce such an ordinance as they shall find most appropriate in that place for the general welfare and for the prevention of misdeeds.

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[ ] sent previously [ ]

Done at Fort [ ] ut supra (was signed) Nicasius de Sille, La Montagne.[1]