[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] I know not whether the Director hath required a promise from Douthey. Director Stuyvesant, on his arrival in New Netherland, endeavored, pursuant to his orders, quietly to put a stop to the contraband trade in guns, powder and lead. On perceiving which, the Colonie Renselaers wyck itself, sent a letter and petition to the Director, wherein they requested moderation the rather, they said, if the trade be wholly abolished, all the Christians in the colonie would run great danger of being murdered — as by the tenor of said petition may more fully be seen. The Director and Council, taking the petition into consideration, and reflecting further on the consequences, resolved to barter sparingly a few guns and a little powder through the Commissary at Fort Orange on the Company's account; taking good care, moreover, that the sloops navigating the river should not convey any quantity up. This was provisionally only, and until further order. 'Tis to be observed in this place, that the Director dreading one of two evils, permitted some arms to be bartered in the Fort in order to preserve the Colonie from danger. Neither will any one prove that the Director hath sold, or allowed the sale of, any articles of contraband on his own private account. The seizure of some guns by