Document: Petition of David Ferara that it was not his intention to appeal from the judgment of the city court but to ask for a remission or mitigation of the fine

26 July 1656.

In council present: the honorable lord director Petrus Stuyvesant and the honorable lord La Montagne.

Received and read the petition submitted to the councilors in the name of and concerning Davidt Ferera inserted below word for word:

Copy.

To the esteemed lords high councilors of New Netherland.

Esteemed lords.

It is the case that Davidt Ferera, Jew, by virtue of a petition to your honors has requested and been granted an appeal of the civil judgment pronounced by the honorable magistrates here regarding his wellknown innocently committed mistake, for which it is noted that it is not the petitioner’s intention at all to pursue his appeal and to precede therein against the honorable officer to the very end, but rather, in view of his innocence regarding the committed mistake and his sober condition, he places himself at the merciful discretion and commiseration of your highly esteemed honors; therefore, humbly requesting that your highly esteemed honors be pleased graciously to reduce the extremely heavy fine imposed on him, at least to adjust it such that it is bearable for him, and to make it possible for him to be able to pay; and, in addition thereby to release him from his long imprisonment. In so doing etc. Below stood: your highly esteemed honors humble servant (was signed) Davidt Ferera.