Document: Petition of rev. Mr. Polhemus for an advance on his salary

To the honorable lord Petrus Stuyvesant, director general, and councilors of New Netherland.[i]

Shows with due reverence Johannes Teod. Polheym, preacher, how he, [ the petitioner, ] has [ some time ] ago bought from Cornelis Arissen a parcel of land lying in the village of Midwout, to better provide thereby for himself and his family, hoping, when the time for payment came, to be in a condition to pay for it; but as the petitioner has been disappointed in this hope because his payment is not paid as he expected, and as a payment of ƒ100 has become due, the petitioner finds himself compelled, indeed, forced to turn to your honors, requesting respectfully that your honors will please to pay for his account so much to the aforesaid Cornelis Arissen and debit the petitioner for it. Awaiting a favorable decision he commends your honors to God’s protection and remains,

(lower stood) Your honors’ servant

(was signed)

Joh. Th. Polhemij.

It was decided that the provisional receiver is ordered to pay on account of the petitioner one hundred guilders, mentioned herein, to Cornelis Aerissen. Thus done in council at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland the 21st of December anno 1656.