" Being presented to the Hon'ble Director General and Council in New Netherland, a report of Brian Norton, captain lieut., Cornelis van Ruyven, secretary, and Carel van Brugge, commissary, appointed to go to Oost-dorp, the director general and council did approve it, upon which they resolved that they would send by the first opportunity to the magistrates of Oost-dorp the following ammunitions of war, to be preserved there for the use of the aforesaid village, and to be employed when necessity mioht require it, viz. : 12 muskets, 12 ]b. of powder,

12 1b. of lead, 2 bundles of matches.

And further, a writing book for the magistrates. Done in Fort Amsterdam, N. N., .^d June, 1657.

Peter Stuyvesant,

NlCASSIUS DE SiLLE,

Peter Tonneman.''i>

Upon the 28th of June, 1660, Governor Stuyvesant addressed the following letter to the inliabitants of Oost-dorp, (Easttown.)

Loving friends :

Out of your nomination presented unto us we have made choice, as you may know by these presents, of

Josiah Gilbert,

Nicolas Bayley,

Thomas Wall. The which we, for the year following, do confirm and establish for magistrates of the towne called East town, requiring all and every one whom these may

=^ Alb. Rec. p. 318. b Alb. Rec. vol. xv. 8.

Vol. n. 21

162 HISTORY OF THE

concerne, to esteem them as our elected and confirmed magistrates for the said town. So, after my respects, I rest

Your loving friend and governor,

P. Stuyvesant.*

Amsterdam, N. N., 28ih June, 1660.

In 16G2, Governor Stuyvesant granted to the English towns tlie right to nominate their own magistrates, and to have their own courts, " hut in dark and dubious matters, especially in ^viichcraft, the party aggrieved might appeal to the governor and council."''