Gent" -- I having Receivd orders from his Maj® King William for takeing care of this Government, have Commissionated Cap* Jochim Staas To take into his Possession Fort Orange and keep ye Souldicrs in good order and Discipline, and y* y® Magistracy may be in a good Decorum have Ordered and doe hereby Order that free Elections be forthwith made for a Mayor and Aldermen whom I have Signified to Cap^ Staas with whom Pray Correspond and give all due assistance for his Maj^^ Intrest and ye Safety of y* Citty and County y' so Peace and Tranquilhty may be Preserved amongst you, untill wee shall Receive further orders from y® King, which is y® needfull matter at psent from Your Loveing Frinde

Jacob Leysler TTie Superscription was

To ye Military and Civill officers and ye Protestant freemen Inhabitants of ye Citty and County of Albanie

Vpon which it was Resolved by ye Convention to send the high SherrifTe of ye Citty and County to ye said Jochim Staas with this message

Whereas a Certain Letter of Jacob Leysler dated ye 28th day of Decemb Last at N: Yorke hath been Read in the Convention, wherein he writes y* he Jacob Leysler hath Received orders from King William for ye takeing care of this Government and accordingly Commissionated Jochim Staas to take into his Possession fort Orange and Orders free Elections for a mayor and Aldermen whom he hath Signified to ye s^ Staas, It is therefore thougt Convenient by ye convention now met together that Richd Pretty Esq^ high SherrifFe of ye Citty and County of Albanie doe Repare to Jochim Staas, and Demand if any such orders from our Souveraign Leidge Lord King William be sent to him as Jacob Leysler mentions in his Letter, Being Desyreous to see them that we may Conform and Behave our Selfs accordingly ; Since y*" Preservation of ye Peace of our Souveraign Lord King William