Document: Order on a petition from Oysterbay explaining and confirming their privileges

Mr. Alrighs:This serves to cover the inclosed instruction for you and the Magistrates of the respective subaltern Courts of justice in the South river, which are sent you by the Governor's order; you will please transmit a copy to each of them in order that they may regulate themselves accordingly. His Honor has made some alteration in the distribution of provisions, respecting which you will find an order herewith. In other respects nothing has transpired here since you left worthy notice. Therefore, breaking off, I shall, after salutation, commend you to God's protection, and remain,

Note.—The regulation hereinbefore recorded 6th October, is sent to Mr. Alrigs.

The Governor-General of New Netherland having read and considered the written petition of the inhabitants of Oysterbay, in the first place thankfully acknowledging the Freedoms and Privileges not to be forced to carry arms against their own nation, etc., with further promise to demean and comport themselves like loyal subjects, it is noted on said petition:

That what is stated in the previous Order, dated [ ] last, to wit, that some in the time of the preceding Dutch government have rebelliously opposed it; does not apply to the Petitioners, but only to those who were then subject to said goverment. What regards the point of voluntary subjection, we have in our foregoing summons declared, that in default of voluntary submission they should be constrained thereunto by force of arms. Respecting the request that the Petitioners, their heirs and descendants may peaceably and quietly enjoy the lands belonging to them in propriety, the same has been already granted and allowed to them, and is hereby again confirmed unto them.Dated Fort Willem Hendrick, 12th of October, 1673.