Document: Petition of delegates from the five English towns on Long Island

Jamaica, August the 14th 1673.Whereas wee ye Inhabitants of the East Riding of Long Island (: namely SoutHampton, Easthampton, SoutHoold Seataucok & Huntington were sometime rightly & peaceafully joyned with Hertford jurisdiction to good satisfaction on both sides, butt about ye yeare 1664 Genneral Richard Nicolls comeing in ye name off his Majesty’s Roijal Highnes ye Duke off Yorcke & by power subjected us to ye Government under with wee have remained untill this present time and now by turne off Gods Providence shipps off fforce belonging to ye States off Holland have taken New Yorke ye 30th of the last month, and wee having noe Intelligence to this day From our Government: Françis Lovelace Esquire off whatt hath happened or with wee are to doe, Butt ye Gennerrall off ye said dutch Force hath sent to us his declaration or Summons with a serius Commination therein contained and since wee understand bij ye post bringing the said declaration That our Government: is peacebly & respectfullij entertained into ye said fort & Citty; wee the Inhabitants off ye said East Rijding or our Deputies for us, att â meeting this daij doe make these our request as follow;

Imprimis That iff wee come under ye dutch Government, wee desire ye wee maij retaine our Eclesiaslicall Priviledges vizt, to Worship God according to our beliefe without anij imposition.2nd That wee maij enjoij ye small matters off goods wee possess, with our Lands according to our Purchaze of ye Natieves as it is now bounded out, without further charge off confirmation.3rdly That ye oath off allegiance to bee imposed may bind us onely whyles wee are under Government but that as wee shall bee bound not to act against them, soe also not to take up armes for them against our owne Nation.4thly That wee maij alwayes have Liberty to chuse our owne officers both civil & millitarij.5thly That these 5 Townes may bee a corporation off themselves to end all matters of difference between man & man, excepting onely cases conserning Lijfe, Limbe & bannishment.6thly That noe law may be made or tax imposed uppon ye people at anij tijme but such as shall be consented to bij ye deputies of ye respectieve Townes.7thly That wee maij have free Trade with ye nation now in Power and all others without paiing custome.8thly In everij respect to have equall previledges with the dutch nation9thly That there may be free liberty graunted ye 5 townes above said for ye procuring from any of ye united Collonies (: without molestation on either side: ) warpes irons or any other necessaries for ye comffortable earring on the whale designe.10thly That all Bargaines covenant & contracts of what nature soever stand in full force, as theij would have been had there bene no change of Government.