Document: Order approving a plot of the village of Midwout (Flatbush), but reserving 5 or 6 lots for public buildings

Whereas Jan Strijcker, Adriaen Hegeman and Tomas Swartwout, inhabitants and magistrates of the village of Midwout, located on Long Island, have today shown us a certain plan and attached petition for permission to draw in the community of the aforesaid village for the increased security of the village, and that the common inhabitants, if need be, would be able to support one another quicker and better, which we, the director general and councilors of New Netherland, having examined, have found the same to be to our liking; also, because it was considered fitting and necessary, we hereby authorize the aforesaid magistrates Strijcker, Hegeman, and Swartwout to form the above mentioned village according to the submitted plan, provided that 5 to 6 lots remain reserved for public buildings such as for the schout, minister, secretary, schoolmaster, village inn, and public court house, as well as hereby instructing the common inhabitants of the aforesaid villages that they provisionally and until our further orders are to submit themselves without opposition to the proposal of the aforesaid magistrates and this our good intention.

Done at the session of the honorable director general and high councilors of New Netherland held at the fort in New Amsterdam. Ady ut supra. 16 October 1655.