Document: Order on a petition from Esopus for the government of that district

At a Meeting of the Commanders and Honorable Council of War, holden in Fort Willem Hendrik the 1st September, 1673.

The Delegates from the Esopus appearing, delivered in a certain Petition whereupon the following Order was made:

The above Petition of the Magistrates of Swaenenburgh, heretofore called Kingstowne, also the Petition of the Magistrates of the towns of Horley & Marbeltowne, situate in the Esopus, being read and considered at a Meeting of the Honorable Commanders and adjoined Council of War of the squadron of ships in the North river of New Netherland, etc.:

It is ordered as follows:

First. The Petitioners shall give in a list of the number of their inhabitants, and what they will be able to contribute to the support of a Minister, which shall be transmitted by us to our principals. Regarding the requested instruction it will be prepared on the earliest opportunity by the Governor and sent to the Petitioners.Secondly. The Commonalty of the 3 respective towns shall conjointly nominate by their deputies 3 persons for Schout and 3 persons for Secretary, from whom we shall then elect one to be Schout and one to be Secretary over all those towns; also, the Commonalty of Swaenenburgh shall nominate eight persons as Commissioners of that town. Horley and Marbeltowne, which have up to this time been under one Bench of Justice, shall still so continue until further order, and therefore shall in like manner conjointly nominate and present to us 8 persons, from whom we shall then make a selection. Item, they were in like manner recommended to nominate and present to us a double number for the chief officers of the militia.3rdly The Governor will as soon as possible take the subject of the Excise into consideration, to whom will in like manner be recommended what the Petitioners consume in their families.4th Point is granted to the Petitioners, who are expressly recommended to pay attention that none be nominated who are not of the Reformed Religion.5th Nor shall any be nominated but such as are at least friendly to the Dutch Nation.6th article, regarding the improvement of those towns by population, shall be submitted to our principals, who we do not doubt will adopt the earliest measures for its execution.7th The Governor will be recommended to provide the Petitioners with the needful ammunition and military in seasons of exigency.8th Point, regarding prohibiting the sale of strong drink by the small measure to the Indians, is approved, and the Schout is recommended to pay strict attention thereto.Furthermore, the present Magistrates are recommended to publish and post up the inclosed Proclamation.