Document: Order to the militia of the Dutch towns adjoining New Orange to appear armed at the city on the first notice

The Governor-General of New Netherland: To all those who shall see these presents or hear them read, Greeting, makes known:

Whereas the fortifications of the city of New Orange, are by the good zeal and industry of its Burghers, so far completed as to be now on the eve of perfection, when this city will be in such a state of defence that it will be capable (under God) of resisting all attacks of any enemies which might be expected to come hither; nevertheless, considering that in such case it would not be possible to defend all the surrounding villages and out places of this Province, but that their safety must depend alone on the preservation of said city, as previous experience hath clearly made manifest; therefore have I deemed it necessary hereby, strictly to order and to command all out people of the Dutch nation, dwelling in the respective circumjacent towns, and on the Flat land, that they repair to the aforesaid city of New Orange without any delay, provided with proper hand and side arms, on the first notice they shall receive of the enemy's approach, or even of the coming of more than one ship at the same time, whether it be with the Prince's flag or otherwise, on penalty that all who will be found negligent therein, shall be declared traitors and perjurers, and consequently be proceeded against as enemies, or be punished with death and confiscation of all their goods, as an example to others; and all Schouts, Magistrates and Militia officers of the respective towns to whom these shall be transmitted, are ordered and commanded to make known this our order without any delay, in their respective towns and the dependencies thereof, by publishing and posting the same, to the end that no man plead ignorance in the premises, and furthermore take care that this our order be duly observed and executed according to the precise tenor thereof. Done Fort Willem Hendrick, this 13th March, 1674.

The above Proclamation is transmitted to the Schouts and Magistrates of the towns of Midwout, Amesfordt, Breuckelen, Utrecht, Boswyck, Haerlem, Fordham, Bergen.