But with your permission we shall postpone it to a more appropriate time. Honored Lords ! This is what we have, in the sorrow of our hearts, to complain of; that one man, who has been sent out, sworn and instructed by his Lords and masters, to whom he is responsible, should dispose here of our lives and properties at his will and pleasure, in a manner so arbitrary that a King dare not legally do the like. We shall terminate here, and commit the matter wholly to our God who, we pray and ;

heartily trust, will move your hearts and bless your deliberations, so that one of these two things may happen ; that a Governor may be speedily sent with a beloved peace to us ; or, that your Honors will be pleased to permit us to return, with wives and children to our dear

Fatherland. For it is impossible ever to settle this country until a different system be introduced here, and a new Governor sent out with more people, who will settle in suitable places, one near the other, in the form of villages or hamlets, and elect from among themselves a Bailiff or Schout and Schepens, who will be empowered to send their deputies and give their votes on public affairs with the Director and Council so that the entire country may not be ;

hereafter, at the whim of one man, again reduced to similar danger. So long as this is not done, we say, the rural districts can never be cultivated. We respectfully request that the aforesaid may be taken into consideration. We remain, as we are, your Honors' faithful, poor and distressed inhabitants of New Netherland. Done Manatans this 28"" October, A" 1644.