d that it should be repaired, laid in five angles, and put in
royal condition. The commonalty's men have been addressed for money for
the purpose, but they excused themselves on the ground that the people
were poor. Every one, too, was discontented and feared that if the
Director once had his fort to rely upon, he would be more cruel and
severe. Between the two, nothing is done. He will doubtless know how
to lay the blame with much circumstance upon the commonalty who are
innocent, although the Director wished to have the money from them,
and for that purpose pretended to have an order from Their High
Mightinesses. Had the Director laid out for that purpose the fourth part
of the money which was collected from the commonalty during his time, it
certainly would not have fallen short, as the wine-excise was expressly
laid for that object. But it was sought in a thousand ways to shear
the sheep though the wool was not yet grown. In regard, then, to public
works, there is little difference between Director Kieft and Director
Stuyvesant, for after the church was built the former was negligent, and
took personal action against those who looked him in the eye. The latter
has had much more opportunity to keep public works in repair than his
predecessor had, for he has had no war on his hands. He has also been
far more diligent and bitter in looking up causes of prosecution against
his innocent opponents than his predecessor ever was.

The Administration of Director Kieft in Particular.

Sufficient has been said of what Director Kieft did in regard to the
church and its affairs, and in regard to the state, such as buildings
and taxes or revenue. It remains for us to proceed to the council-house
and produce thence some examples, as we promised. We will, in doing so,
endeavor to be brief.

The Council then consisted of Director Kieft and Monsieur la Montagne.
The Director had two votes, and Monsieur la Montagne one; and it was a
high crime to appeal from their judgments. Cornelis vander Hoykens sat
with them as fiscaal,(1) and Cornelis van Tienhoven as secretary,(2) and
whenever any thing extraordinary occurred, the Director allowed some,
whom it pleased him--officers of the company for the most part--to be
summoned in addition, but that seldom happened. Nevertheless it gave
discontent. The Twelve Men, and afterwards the Eight,(3) had in court
matters neither vote nor advice; but were chosen in view of the war and
some oth