[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] They dispatched in an irregular manner and clandestinely sent off, that libellous letter; deceived the good people whose names they used; who, according to their own declarations, were not aware that it contained such scandalous things. Jacob Stoffelse and Jsack Allerton principally implored the people to sign — yea, even after the letter was off to Holland, they suborned, according to Melyn's own acknowledgment, the Secretary's clerk, and caused him also to sign, thus abusing our Lords Patroons, making them believe that the original letter was subscribed by the Eight men, cheating the good people, and endeavoring with false and bitter poison, to calumniate their magistrates and to bring them into difficulty; wherefore we demand justice, in order that our innocence may be known both here and in Holland, and their falsehood punished, that the Fiscal may prosecute them according to the heinousness of their crimes; also, that they be required to prove said letter, and to exhibit the copy of it which they sent off by the Blue Cock, and to which the Directors refer. Which hoping. Ady IS"" June, 1647, New Amsterdam. Your Hon" ever ready servant, (Signed) Willem Kieft. This is found, on collating, to agree with the original, the 19'*' June, Anno, 1647. (Signed) Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary. HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: III. 205 Messrs. Jochem Piclerscn Kuyter and Cornells Mclijn to Director Sluijvesavt.