Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan

“ Whereas all the subjects of the High and Mighty Lords States General, who pursue their trade or commerce here in New Netherland, are bound to pay, before they can ship their goods, a duty of Ten per cent to the West India Company in Holland, which was granted said Company by their High Mightinesses in consideration of the great War which the Honble West India Company is carrying on and the heavy expense it has to bear ”

“ Whereas many persons come here in New Netherland daily, both from New England and Virginia, who frequently carry their passports under foot and have run away from their Masters, and afterwards occasion much trouble here, as appears by several instances within a short time ”

“ Whereas we hear daily, God help us, of many accidents, caused for the most part by quarrels, drawing of knives and fighting, and the multitude of Taverns and low Groggeries, badly conducted, together with the favorable opportunities which all turbulent persons, Murderers and other Lawless people have for running away and consequently escaping condign punishment, wherein we would willingly make provision so as to prevent, as much as possible, all harm ”

“ And the Honble Directors have learned that many goods are brought hither from divers places which have not paid the Duty, which tends to the serious injury of the Honble Company and the great damage of the good Inhabitants of New Netherland who have to bear a heavier burthen than even Foreigners ”

“ Therefore, to prevent all disorder, We have interdicted and forbidden, as we do hereby most expressly interdict and forbid, all our good inhabitants here, from this time henceforward, lodging any Strangers in their houses, or furnishing them more than one meal and harboring them more than one night, without first notifying the Director and having their names recorded, so that it may be known what sort of people are here, and whence they come ”