s was repeated to him several times here and he never
made any particular objection to it. The refusing to allow appeals, and
other similar acts, prove clearly that in our opinion no other proof is
needed. The present Director does the same, and in the denial of appeal,
he is also at home. He likes to assert the maxim "the Prince is above
the law," and applies it so boldly to his own person that it confutes
itself. These directors, having then the power in their hands, could do
and have done what they chose according to their good will and pleasure;
and whatever was, was right, because it was agreeable to them. It is
well known that those who assume power, and use it to command what they
will, frequently command and will more than they ought, and, whether
it appear right or not, there are always some persons who applaud such
conduct, some out of a desire to help on and to see mischief, others
from fear; and so men still complain with Jan Vergas de clementia ducis,
of the clemency of the duke.(1) But in order that we give nobody cause
to suspect that we blow somewhat too hard, it will be profitable to
illustrate by examples the government of Mr. Director Kieft at its
close, and the administration of Mr. Director Stuyvesant just prior to
the time of our departure. We frankly admit, however, that we shall not
be able to speak fully of all the tricks, because they were conducted so
secretly and with such duplicity and craft. We will nevertheless expose
some of their proceedings according to our ability, and thus let the
lion be judged of from his paw.

(1) Juan de Vargas, the chief member of the Duke of Alva's
"Council of Blood," who complained that the duke's methods
were too lenient.

Casting our eyes upon the government of Director Kieft, the church
first meets us, and we will therefore speak of the public property
ecclesiastical and civil. But as this man is now dead, and some of his
management and doings are freely represented by one Jochem Pietersz
Cuyter and Cornelis Melyn,(1) we will dispose of this point as briefly
as we possibly can.

(1) Stuyvesant, soon after his arrival, at the instance of
Kieft, condemned Kieft's chief opponents, Kuyter and Melyn,
for lese-majesty, and banished them, forbidding them to
appeal. On reaching Holland, however, after their dramatic
escape from the shipwreck of the Princess, they appealed,
and secured a reversal of their condemnation.