A portion thereof which we now possess, have we with immense labor and trouble and at our particular cost, transformed from a wilderness of woods and erected into a few small villages [with several bouweries], by a strict observance of the Freedoms and Privileges already granted. Expecting every enlargement and amplification, but no abridgement thereof, and deeply honoring and respecting the government of the Netherlands, made up of various Nations from divers quarters of the globe, leaving at our own expense our country and countrymen, we voluntarily repaired under its protection or shelter, being now incorporated, as it were in one

2» body, under our Sovereigns, the High and Mightij Lords Stales General, lohorn we acknowledge as our Lieges, with due subjection to the general laws of the United Provinces of Netherland, and all other new orders and ordinances which, by virtue of the power and authority aforesaid, will be enacted here conformably to the customs, Freedoms, grants and privileges of the Netherlands. 3« This being premised, we humhhj -pray that this our Remonstrance and Petition he received and construed favorably, and interpreted not sinisterhj, but advantageously. We shall, therefore, frankly declare, with all humility, our apprehension and alarm which for some time have crushed our spirits and disheartened us, in our labors and callings, so that we, being in a wilderness, are unable to promote the good of the country with the same zeal and inclination as heretofore; the reasons whereof are as follow: /^, First. Our apprehension of the establishment of an Arbitrary Governmerit among xis. 'Tis contrary to the first intentions and genuine principles of every well regulated government, that one or more men should arrogate to themselves the exclusive power to dispose, at will, of the life and property of any individual, and this, by virtue or under pretense of a law or order he, or they, might enact, without the consent, knowledge or election of the whole Body, or its agents or representatives.