Meanwhile we have permitted some persons delegated hither from the Commonalty of that place, to return there, requiring you, therefore, neither to trouble nor molest those who came from New Netherland and are about to return thither, on account may have been made here; and whereas we deem it of any representations that expedient that the population, which is now needed, should be favored and encouraged in every way, we direct and order you to take care that the Country be not divested of horses and cows, also that supplies of provisions be reserved for the arriving Colonists ; that the inhabitants be furnished with arms necessary for

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HOLLAND DOCUMENTS : VI. 5O3 tlieir defence and that the guns be stamped. For which purpose tlie Delegates from New Netherland are allowed to purchase and convey thither two hundred guns to be distributed according to orders by us given. And that, therefore, all inhabitants shall be forbidden henceforth to sell any stamped guns and to export or cause to be exported any horses or cows without permission of the Council. You shall, moreover, distribute the aforesaid guns among the inhabitants of the City

of i\ew Amsterdam, and to all those who are capable of bearing arms, and to other families scatterd throughout the Country, with express command that they shall be obliged to keep their guns in good order and to provide themselves with requisite powder, keeping correct register of the guns distributed as aforesaid, so that they may be inspected and examined every three months, and should any guns remain over, they shall be stored in the warehouse. Done the first April 1650. Was paraphed Johan Van Reede "'. Underneath was. By order of the High Mighty Lords States General. (Signed) Corn. Musch.