inhabitants, nor to the abridgment of the power and authority of the said High Lords States, or of the West India Company abovementioned, they and the other their co-delegates thought proper to present the same, translated from English into Low Dutch, to the Difector General and Council, as they have done on the ll"" Dec" 1653, in the hope and expectation of receiving an answer on the points contained therein ; but in vain. On the aforesaid day the Director General and Council first charged that the Remonstrance was obscure and badly translated ; next declared the aforesaid Assembly illegal, and protested against it ; also rejected

the same on account of this title: Address to the Director and Council ; lastly, charged and commanded the Burgomasters and Schepens aforesaid with the respective Deputies to

assemble no more in manner as aforesaid, but to disperse forthwith, on pain of the highest displeasure and arbitrary correction. 2.

Under our Sovereigns the High and Mighty Lords States General, whom we acknowledge as our Lieges -- without, however, excluding the Directors of the Incorporated West India Company, whom we honor, as already stated, as our Patroons, ready and willing to show them and their servants all due submission, honor and respect.

3.

We pray that this our Remonstrance and Petition may be received and construed favorably, and interpreted not sinisterly, but advantageously. As we declare that it has no other design than the good of the country and defense and preservation of the property and Freedoms of its inhabitants ; not to commit any unlawful usurpation on any person's power and authority, to whatsoever office or service he may be lawfully appointed, but to prevent illegality and to remove and to anticipate troubles and mischiefs which have already overrun the country, or are yet to be apprehended ; therefore, though some obscurity may be apparent in this petition, it might be favorably interpreted, and should anything be found wanting, it may be graciously supplied.