For the sake of appearances, Twelve men were called together here, in November, 1642^ pn the subject of the murder of Claes, the wheelwright; the Director submitted to them whether the blood of the aforesaid wheelwright should not be avenged? Whereupon divers debates arose on the one side and the other, as the document will show; for at this time a hankering after war had wholly seized on the Director. But the aforesaid 12 men could not continue to meet any longer than the 8"" of February following; for such was forbidden on pain of corporal punishment. Shortly after, he commenced the war against those of Wesquecqueck, on his own mere motion, as appears by the petition of the Twelve men.

212 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

At the request of the Director, the Commonalty again elected 8 men, in September, 1643; but this was 6 @^ 7 months after the Director had authorized the execution of the cruel deed over at Pavonia. They did, indeed, draw up some good and suitable regulations; forbidding taverns and all other improprieties appointed a week's preaching instead, as can be seen by ;

the order; but it was not executed by the officer. These Eight men, aforesaid, were never called together again on public business, from the 4" November, 1643, to the IS"" June, 1644; though in that period many things occurred. It was, indeed, sufficiently manifest how little were these Eight men respected, for no sooner did they open their mouths to propose anything tending in their judgment to the public good, than the Director met them with sundry biting and scoffing taunts ; and sometimes had them summoned, without asking them a question, thus obliging them to return amidst jeers and sneers, as wise as they went. We were finally again convoked, on the IS"" June, 1644, as above stated, when the Director demanded that some new taxes and excise should be imposed on the Commonalty, or he should discharge the English soldiers.