was something
forgotten in them; but that was not it. They thought they had incommoded
themselves in giving them, and therefore a proviso was added at the
end of the ground-brief, and it was signed anew; which proviso
directly conflicts with the ground-brief, so that in one and the same
ground-brief is a contradiction without chance of agreement, for it
reads thus in the old briefs: "and take in possession the land and the
valleys appertaining of old thereto," and the proviso says, "no valley
to be used before the Company," all which could well enough be used, and
the Company have a competency. In the ground-briefs is contained also
another provision, which is usually inserted and sticks in the bosom of
every one: to wit, that they must submit themselves to all taxes
which the council has made or shall make.(9) These impositions can be
continued in infinitum, and have already been enforced against several
inhabitants. Others also are discouraged from undertaking anything on
such terms.

(1) Cornelis van der Huygens was schout-fiscaal (sheriff and
public prosecutor) of New Netherland from 1639 to 1645. He
was drowned in the wreck of the Princess in 1647, along with
Kieft.

(2) Cornelis van Tienhoven was a figure of much importance
in New Netherland history. An Utrecht man, he came out as
book-Keeper in 1633, and served in that capacity under Van
Twiller. In 1638, at the beginning of Kieft's
administration, he was made provincial secretary, and
continued in that office under Stuyvesant, supporting with
much shrewdness and industry the measures of the
administration. His endeavors to counteract this
_Representation_ of the commonalty of New Netherland are
described in the introduction, and are exhibited in the
piece which follows.

(3) The Twelve Men were representatives chosen at the
request of Kieft, to advise respecting war against the
Weckquasgeeks, by an assembly of heads of families convened
in August, 1641. They counselled delay, but finally, in
January, 1642, consented to war. When they proceeded to
demand reforms, especially popular representation in the
Council, Kieft dissolved them. After the Indian outbreak of
August, 1643, the Eight Men were elected, also at the
instance of Kieft, and did their part in the management of
the ensuing warfare; but they also, in the autumns of 164