Document: Commission of Cornelis Steenwyck, Charles Epestyn and Charles Quirynsen to administer the oath of allegiance

30th October. The Governor-General and Council have resolved and concluded to send in like manner a second embassy to the remaining eastern towns on Long Island, and for that purpose have commissioned Councillor Cornelis Steenwyck, Captain Carel Epesteyn, and Lieutenant Carel Quirynsen, who are authorized to set out for that quarter, without delay in the Snow, for which purpose the following commission and instruction are also given them:

Commission to Mr. Steenwyck &c. to visit the East end of Long Island.

Anthony Colve Gouvernor-generall of the New Netherlands appointed by authority of the high & mighty Lords the States generall of the Vnited Belgicq Provinces & his Serene highnesse the Lord Prince of orange Etz.

Vnto all whome these Presents shall Come send greeting:Whereas Captain William Cnijff & Leftennt Anthony Malipart being now Lately by mee Commissionated for to administer the Oath Vnto the Magestrates & Inhabitants of the Easterne Townes uppon Long Island, have made Returne & rapport unto me that Some of Your Inhabitants there in Stead of Complyance with my orders have obstinately made answer by their Letters with do more appeare to be dictated by Mutenyes & Rebellions as by true & fiithfull subiects, that they Refused so to doe, Whereuppon I had already taken Sufficient Care & order to bring Vnder & Subdue the said Malifactors yet Neverthelesse uppon the Intersession of some of the good Subiects of this governement, and in Concideracôn of Severall of the good Inhabitants wich' I am Informed are seated there I have Thought fitt before I do proceede to the Extreemity, once more to Commissionate some Persons and to that End and purpose have Committed qualified & appointed, and do by these Presents Commit qualify & appoint the Honorable Cornelis Steenwyck Primo Counsel of this Province, Captain Charles Epesteyn, & Leftennt Charles Quirynsen who are hereby Required with all Possible Expedition to transport them Selves to the said Townes Called Easthampton, Southold & Southampton Lying on the East End of Long Island, or otherwise if they see Cause to Summon the inhabitants of the said Townes before them to some Convenient place as they shall Judge fitt, and to admonish the Inhabitants of their duty & true Submission, as alsoo to Establish the Elected Magistrates in their respective offices, and to administer the oath as wel Vnto them, as the rest of the Inhabitants there, hereby Stricktly Charging & Requiring the Inhabitants of the said Respective Townes, and all others whom these may Concerne to acknowledge & yeild unto the said Commissionrs all due obedyence honnr & Respect to the End I may not be forced to use such meanes as would tend to the ruine & greatest Damage of some of them Dated at ffort Willem Hendrick this 30th of October, 1673.