was given them, which the Director had, as usual, drawn
up at such length and with such fulness that plain and simple people,
such as are here, must be confused, and unable to make anything out of
it. Further attempts have accordingly been made from time to time to
introduce new taxes and burdens. In fine it was so managed in Director
Kieft's time, that a large yearly sum was received from the recognition
and other sources, calculated to amount annually to 16,000 guilders,(2)
besides the recognition which was paid in the Fatherland and which
had to be contributed by the poor commonalty; for the goods were
sold accordingly, and the prices are now unbearably high. In Director
Stuyvesant's administration the revenue has reached a much higher sum,
and it is estimated that about 30,000 guilders(3) are now derived yearly
from the people by recognitions, confiscations, excise and other taxes,
and yet it is not enough; the more one has the more one wants. It would
be tolerable to give as much as possible, if it was used for the public
weal. And whereas in all the proclamations it is promised and declared
that the money shall be employed for laudable and necessary public
works, let us now look for a moment and see what laudable public
works there are in this country, and what fruits all the donations and
contributions have hitherto borne. But not to confuse matters, one
must understand us not to refer to goods and effects that belong to the
Honorable Company as its own, for what belongs to it particularly was
never public. The Company's effects in this country may, perhaps, with
forts, cannon, ammunition, warehouses, dwelling-houses, workshops,
horses, cattle, boats, and whatever else there may be, safely be said
to amount to from 60,000 to 70,000 guilders,(4) and it is very probable
that the debts against it are considerably more. But passing these by,
let us turn our attention to the public property, and see where the
money from time to time has been used. According to the proclamations
during the administration of Director Kieft, if we rightly consider,
estimate and examine them all, we cannot learn or discover that
anything--we say anything large or small--worth relating, was done,
built or made, which concerned or belonged to the commonalty, the church
excepted, whereof we have heretofore spoken. Yea, he went on so badly
and negligently that nothing has ever been designed, understood or done
that gave appearance of design to