Document: Ordinance against furnishing strong drink to Indians and for the proper preservation of fences

Whereas much strong drink is sold daily to the Indians whereby previously serious difficulties have arisen in this country, and it is necessary to anticipate it in time; therefore, we, the director general and council of New Netherland forbid and prohibit all tapsters and other inhabitants henceforth to sell, give or trade in any manner or under any pretext whatever any wine, beer or strong drink to the Indians; also, not to let it be conveyed by the pail and thus give it to the Indians by the third or fourth hand, directly or indirectly, under the penalty of five hundred Carolus guilders and, in addition, to be responsible for the calamaties that might arise therefrom.

Also, everyone is warned against and forbidden from damaging farmlands, whether fences or crops, and whosoever shall be found to have damaged the fences or crops of any farmlands, gardens or orchards, shall forfeit one hundred guilders and, in addition, [ receive ] arbitrary punishment.

Also, all inhabitants of New Netherland are charged and ordered to fence and enclose their farmlands properly so that livestock can do no damage therein; which livestock, whether horses, cows and especially goats and hogs, must be watched or kept some place else, where they can cause no damage, for which purpose the fiscal , Van Dijck,[1] shall construct a pound in which he may hold the livestock until such time as the damage has been made good and the fine paid. Let everyone be warned and protect himself against loss.

Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the first of July 1647.[2]