From each merchantable beaver purchased within our limits and brought here to the fort, which shall be immediately marked, and those that will fifteen stivers, the small in proportion,

be found unmarked, shall be forthwith confiscated; and all who have beavers in their possession, are hereby notified to come to the Receiver of the Company's customs, thereunto appointed, and to have them marked, or agree upon a commutation, all on pain of confiscation. Let every one be hereby warned, and protect himself from loss. 24 June, 1644.

The above copy written by the Director, is collated and found to agree with the original. Done Manahatas, this 28 June, 1644. (Signed) Jochum Pietersen Kuiter, the mark p. of Ment Dirks.^ made by himself. ' Sie. Intended for Barent Direks. -- Ed.

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190 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

The Eight Men to the Assembly of the XIX.

B, Honorable, Wise, prudent Gentlemen of the XIX. of the General Incorporated West India Company at the Chamber in Amsterdam.

Honorable Gentlemen Rightly hath one of the ancients said, that there is no misery on earth however great that does not manifest itself in time of war.We, poor inhabitants of New Netherland, now complain that having enjoyed for a long time an indifferent peace with the heathen, Almighty God finally, through his righteous judgment, hath in this current year kindled around us the fire of an Indian war in which not only numbers of innocent people, men, women and children, have been murdered in their houses and at their work, and swept into captivity (whereby this place with all its inhabitants is come to the greatest ruin); but all the Bouweries and Plantations at