trying for more, like dropsical people. Thus in a short time very great
discontent has sprung up on all sides, not only among the burghers, who
had little to say, but also among the Company's officers themselves, so
that various protests were made by them on account of the expense and
waste consequent upon unnecessary councillors, officers, servants and
the like who are not known by the Managers, and also on account of
the monies and means which were given in common, being privately
appropriated and used. But it was all in vain, there was very little or
no amendment; and the greater the endeavors to help, restore and raise
up everything, the worse has it been; for pride has ruled when justice
dictated otherwise, just as if it were disgraceful to follow advice, and
as if everything should come from one head. The fruits of this conduct
can speak and bear testimony of themselves. It has been so now so long,
that every day serves the more to condemn it. Previously to the 23rd of
July 1649, nothing had been done concerning weights and measures or the
like; but at that time they notified the people that in August then next
ensuing the matter would be regulated. The fiscaal would then attend to
it, which was as much as to say, would give the pigeons to drink. There
is frequently much discontent and discord among the people on account
of weights and measures, and as they are never inspected, they cannot be
right. It is also believed that some of easy consciences have two sets
of them, but we cannot affirm the fact. As to the corn measure, the
Company itself has always been suspected, but who dare lisp it? The
payment in zeewant, which is the currency here, has never been placed
upon a good footing, although the commonalty requested it, and showed
how it should be regulated, assigning numerous reasons therefor. But
there is always misunderstanding and discontent, and if anything is said
before the Director of these matters more than pleases him, very wicked
and spiteful words are returned. Those moreover whose office requires
them to speak to him of such things are, if he is in no good fit, very
freely berated as clowns, bear-skinners, and the like.

The fort under which we are to shelter ourselves, and from which as it
seems all authority proceeds, lies like a molehill or a tottering wall,
on which there is not one gun-carriage or one piece of cannon in a
suitable frame or on a good platform. From the first it has been
declare