[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] By whose order and by what authority did they do so, and who prompted them thereunto, that they inserted in the petition the words — Of the whole of the freemen. HOLLAND DOCUMENTS : III. 201 3. Was there any other person in the room with Mr. Kieft when they presented the aforesaid petition? 4. By whom was the petition drawn, or did they request the writer to doit; or was he authorized by any person to that effect ? 5. Do they, the witnesses, likewise know that the aforesaid petition was copied by another, or did the writer draw it up of himself? 6. Did they, the witnesses, get an answer from Mr. Kieft on the same day, or was it when Councillor Johan de la Montaigne came from his bouwery to Mr. Kieft? 7. Did not Councillor de la Montaigne remark, on their petition, that they ought to reflect well before beginning the war, whether we could undertake by ourselves to protect those who were dwelling afar off; also, if we had men and ammunition enough to defend ourselves, and to continue until help be received from Holland ? Also, is it not true, that Mr. Kieft replied to this — " The word has gone forth; it must remain so" — and had they not then already obtained in writing Mr. Kieft's answer to the petition? Petition of the Twelve Men and the Answer thereto. TotheHouM'^Willem Kieft, Director General and the Council residing in New N. Netherland on the behalf of the General Incorporated West India Company. i. 1. We, the undersigned.