[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] taabOTMh^eirwr" make even himself ashamed. These Directors, then, having the power in their own hands, could do, and did whatever they chose, according to their good will and pleasure, and whatever was, must be right, because it was agreeable to them. 'Tis well known that those who arrogate to themselves, and exercise power, for the purpose of issuing such commands as they please, frequently command and require more than they really ought; and whether it be proper or not, there are always some persons there to praise it; some through a desire to witness and abet evil; others, from fear; and thus do people still continue to complain, with Jan Vergas, dt dementia ducis, of the clemency of the Duke. But that we may give no one reason to suspect that we blow too hard, 'twill be proper to illustrate the uirKteTs admin"! closB of Dlrcctor Kieft's administration, and the government of Director Stuyvesant a little before our departure by a few examples, but we willingly admit, that it will not be in our power fully to relate all the particulars, as they HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: IV. 299 were transacted so secretly, and with so much duplicity and guile. We shall, however, expose some of them according to our ability, and let an opinion be formed of the Lion by his paw. Casting our eye, then, over Director Kieft's administration, we come first to "ci^asS'' pr'lf-the Church, and we shall speak, after that, of the public property, both p"'*" ecclesiastical and civil.