advocate, were themselves under the necessity of remonstrating, but instead of J^'^^.f'^^P,''^ p"^""™ the relief they expected, they received a somewhat sharp reprimand from the Director, and subsequently obtained a written answer which, as was his custom, he had couched in so lengthy and so diffuse a style, that poor humble people, such as are here, must inevitably commit mistakes regarding it. And thus have further attempts been made from time to time to impose new taxes and burthens. In fine, it is so managed that a considerable sum was received in Director Kieft's time, as

well from duties as from other sources which are estimated to amount, one year Kitft drew from ihe iM^io a with another, to 16,000 guilders, exclusive of the customs paid in Fatherland, s^'W^r.

which must indeed be also collected from the poor people here, for the goods are afterwards sold, and are now intolerably dear. The revenue reached a somewhat higher sum in Director Stuyvesant's time. It is estimated that fuliy^SwiguiW"^

about 30,000 guilders are now drawn from the people, yearly, in duties,

confiscations, excise, &c. ; and yet it is not fair, that the more one has the more he will have. Itwas however, allowable, that as much as possible should be contributed when it was to be employed for the public good and inasmuch as it i'!„"'prof;'id^d'''''n,,' ;

was promised and enacted, in all placards, that all the money was to be employed lZ%t """monry for commendable and necessary public works, let us now examine for a moment for'" the" %TO°.'ie'a what laudable public works there are in this country, and what fruits all the donations and contributions have hitherto borne. But in order not to commit any error in this matter, we must not be understood to include the goods and effects of the Hon''''= Company, and which are its property, for whatever belongs