Document: Petition of Peter van Alen for the release of a parcel of beaver belonging to him found on board the Draadvat and confiscated

[several lines lost] journeyman having lived for the time of [ three years ] at Fort Orange [ ] servant at Gerrit Bancker’s house. Because he, petitioner, plans to depart for Holland with the ship Draatvadt, he, petitioner, put his wages earned over three years, consisting of some thirty beavers, in his chest, unaware that one should declare beavers earned here for wages because he, petitioner, always was at Fort Orange, and out of innocence and ignorance neglected to declare the said beavers, which beavers were confiscated by the honorable lord fiscal. Therefore he, petitioner, respectfully turns to your honors, humbly requesting to consider that he, petitioner, is a poor artisan-journeyman, and that all the means he has in the world, saved up with hard labor during his three-year service, and from which he, petitioner, will have to pay his passage, consist of the aforementioned beavers. He very humbly prays your honors to allow and grant that his chest and the mentioned beavers be given back, provided that he pays the recognition fee thereon. Which doing, I remain (lower stood) your honor’s very obedient subject and servant, (was signed) Pieter van Allen.

[several lines lost] between the [ ] of the ship [ ] peltries that [ were ] not declared. Dated as above.