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.

We should have postponed these our multitudinous complaints were we assured that our previous letter to the Hon*"'' the XIX., by the Blue Cock, had safely arrived.

(Signed) Jochem P" Cuyter, The mark O f " f of

IsACK Allerton, Jacob Stoffelsen, This is the mark ~~j y of Thomas Hall, Gerrit Wolffersen, Jan Evertsen Bout, made by himself. The mark p of CoRNELis Melyn, Barent Dikcksen, made by himself.

Judgment pronounced hy Director Stmjvesant on Jochem Pietersen Kmjter.

It. 1647. The 10 August this was sent to my house by the clerk, Jacob Kieft.

Whereas, Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, aged 50 years, a native of Ditmersen, hath presumed and undertaken to threaten with the finger the Hon'''" Director, his Chief, here in the meeting