Document: Order|Director General and Council to the Secretary not to pass conveyances without notifying Director General and Council first

The Director General and Council have learned, that various clandestine abuses and frauds are practised in the sale and transfer of real estate, such as houses, yards, lots, and other land, to the prejudice of older creditors. Therefore they herewith charge their Secretary and in his absence his first Clerk, not to pass and sign any conveyance of real estate, unless the same has first been reported to the Director and Council on a regular Court day and been approved by them; declaring herewith all contracts and conveyances of real estate void and of no value, which are passed and signed after this date without their approval and confirmation.Thus done etc., February 7, 1650. Signed ut supra.