Document: Petition of the burgomasters and schepens of New Amsterdam for an order transferring to them the excise on wine and beer consumed within the city

Copy.

To the honorable director-general and council of New NetherlandThe board of present mayors and schepens of this city of New Amsterdam make known that:Whereas the honorable general gave verbal permission to their board on last 11 November that the excise of wines and beers, which was paid to the Company's treasury from the first of November, should belong and be paid to their board, whereupon the court of this aforesaid city summoned some of the principal citizens and inhabitants of the same and did propose and communicate it to them; however, as there was no ready money in the treasury, and it was much needed, the court asked them whether they were disposed to submit to such public taxes as we might deem necessary for the maintenance of this city, to which they unanimously consented, as appears by the copy thereof which is appended to this. And whereas up to this date we have received no grant of the excise although we have at various times applied for it to the honorable director-general and council; therefore, we again request the license for the entire excise of beers and wines as it is paid to the Company's treasury (except what is sent to Fort Orange), and whereas we informed the commonalty of this and by failure thereof we shall be regarded by everyone with contempt and censure; and in case any trouble should occur hereafter (God forbid) for refusal hereof, the members of the aforesaid court shall declare themselves innocent, and at the same time declare that they cannot go on without funds and will be compelled, to their sorrow, to see all the constructed works go to ruin and everything run to waste before their eyes. We request herein a favorable recommendation and decision. Thus done at the meeting of the mayors and schepens this 25th of November 1653 at the City Hall in New Netherland. Stood below: By order of the aforesaid mayors and schepens. And was signed:

Jacob Kip