1644, August 4th. An ordinance for levying an excise on Beavers and Beer. By the Director and Council of New Netherland: Whereas by this War which We are obliged to wage and still carry on against the Indians, We find ourselves wholly without goods and effects * 守 * * and as it is impossible for the Director to provide clothing [for the Soldiers] the Store being entirely empty, the Winter at hand and as nothing can be effected with naked men, * wherefore it is Ordained provisionally, that from now henceforward, there shall be paid on each tun of Beer, three Guilders, payable by the Brewer, on condition that he shall be allowed to sell his beer at fl. 22 to the Tavern Keeper, and the Tavern Keeper again at nine stivers for two quarts (de vaen.) And all the Brewers shall be bound to inform the Receiver how many tuns of Beer they have brewed, each time, before it is removed from the premises." 1645, November 21st. An ordinance prohibiting sale of Intoxicating Liquors to Indians. By the Director and Council of New Netherland: "Whereas large quantities of Strong Liquors are daily sold to the Indians, whence serious troubles have heretofore arisen in this country, and it is to be apprehended if no provision be made therein, greater calamities will occur, and in order to prevent the same, We the Director General and Council of New Netherland do forbid all Tapsters and Inhabitants, from this day forward, any Wine, Beer or other Strong Liquors, to sell, give or trade in any way whatsoever to the Indians; to bring it, or cause it to be brought by the third or fourth hand, directly or indirectly into any Houses, Taverns or elsewhere. If anyone, (be he who he may) be found to have transgressed herein, he shall forfeit for the first offence, five hundred guilders; for the second offence, double; and arbitrary correction, and to be banished out of the country, and, in addition, to be responsible for all the damage which may accrue from the selling or giving any drink to the Indians." 1647, May 31st. An ordinance against drinking to excess, breaking the Sabbath and selling liquors at prohibited times. By the Honorable Petrus Stuyvesant Director and the Council of New Netherland. "Whereas we see and observe the great disorders in which some of our inhabitants indulge, in drinking to excess, quarrelling, fighting and smiting even on the Lord's day of rest, whereof God help us! we have seen and heard sorrowful instances on last Sunday in vilipending the Court of Justice to the reproach and censure of Ourselves and Our office, to the scandal of our Neighbors, and finally to the disparagement, yea, contempt, of God's holy laws and ordinances, which command us to sanctify this His rest and Sabbath day to His honor, forbidding all wounding, slaying, and the means and occasions whereby same might arise. "Therefore, 串 to prevent the Curse instead of the Blessing of God falling upon Us and our good Inhabitants, we do hereby order and command that none of the Brewers, Tapsters and Tavern-Keepers shall on the Rest day of the Lord, by us called Sunday, before two of the clock when there is no sermon, or otherwise before four of the clock in the afternoon, set before, tap or give any people any Wine, Beer or Strong liquors of what sort soever, and under any pretext, be it what it may; travellers and Daily boarders alone excepted, who may be provided therewith for their * necessity in their lodgings, on pain of forfeiting their license and in addition six Carolus guilders for every person who is found in their houses partaking of any Wine or Beer. And in like manner we forbid all TavernKeepers, Retailers and Tapsters on that day and all other days in the week, in the evening after the ringing of the Bell, which will be about nine of the Clock, to have any more common Tippling or to tap or furnish any Wine, Beer or Strong liquors, except to their own Families, Travellers and Boarders, on the same penalty." * 1647, July 1st. An Ordinance against selling liquor to Indians. By the Director and Council of New Netherland: "Whereas large quantities of strong Liquors are daily sold to the Indians, 'whereby heretofore serious difficulties have been occasioned in this country and, therefore it becomes necessary to provide seasonably therein, so is it that we, the Director General and Council of New Netherland, forbid and interdict all Tapsters and other Inhabitants from now henceforth any Wine, Beer or strong drink to sell, give or trade in any manner or under any pretext whatsoever to the Indians, or to let it be conveyed by the pot, and thus be handed to the Indians by the third or fourth hand, directly or indirectly, under the penalty of five hundred Carolus guiiders, and in addition to be responsible for the damage which may accrue therefroin." * * * 1647, July 4th. An ordinance fixing the excise to be paid by Tavern Keepers and retailers of intoxicating liquors and wines. The Honorable Director Peter Stuyvesant and the council of New Netherland, do ordain and publish * "that all Tavern-keepers and Retailers of Spain's Wine, Brandy and Liquors, shall pay an excise of two stivers per pot; of French Wine, one stiver; that is on each anker of Spanish Wine, Brandy and Liquor, three guilders four stivers; of French Wine, one guilder twelve stivers, the large vessles in proportion; In like manner also all Skippers, Factors and Scots who will transport or sell such Wine, Brandy or Liquors within our Government, shall pay the same Excise; with this understanding, nevertheless, that the Merchant, Burgher, Farmer, and other our good Inhabitants (the Tapster and retailer by the large and small measure alone excepted) shall be at liberty to lay in their houses, dwellings and places of abode, by the large and small cask, for their private consumption, on the same terms as those who purchase of the Merchant, Factor or Trader, in order to sell again, provided only that the Burgher and other good Inhabitants remain bound to obtain a Permit from an appointed Officer, Receiver or Collector, before he lay in or store the Wine in the cellar, and to pay therefor six stivers per anker of French Wine, and twelve stivers per anker of Brandy or Spanish Wine; larger measures in proportion." "In order to prevent fraud and Smuggling, the Seller shall remain bound to enter with the Receiver General or Collector, the quantity and quality of the sold Wines and Liquors before delivery. In like manner the Purchaser is ordered and commanded not to receive, ship, export nor store any Wines without having first obtained a proper permit from the Receiver or Collector, and exhibited it to the officer, on pain of forfeiting such Wines and Five Hundred guilders additional, to be applied, one third for the Company, one third for the Church; one third for the Fiscal or the Complainant and Informer." 1648, January 12th. An ordinance to prohibit brewers from tapping and Tapsters from brewing beer. The Honorable Peter Stuyvesant Director and the Council of New Netherland do ordain and publish as follows: "All [the Brewers] who brew in or around this city [of New Amsterdam] are forbid from tapping, retailing or selling beer by the Can or Glass, and all tapsters from brewing or allowing other to brew for them, on pain of forfeiting all such Beer as shall be found on such Brewers' or Tapsters' premises, and in addition being excluded from trade during months." 1648, March 10th. An ordinance against drinking to excess, Sabbath breaking, for regulating Taverns and to prevent frauds upon the excise. The Honorable Peter Stuyvesant Director and the Council of New Netherland do hereby declare and ordain. "Whereas we see and experience that our former Edict enacted against unseasonable drinking to excess, both at Night and on the Sabbath of our Lord, to the scandal and shame of Us and Our nation, is not observed and obeyed according to our intent and meaning; we hereby renew the same and do Ordain and Enact that it shall henceforth be put, maintained and executed in stricter observance and force, pursuant to the tenor and provisions therein set forth. 66 Meanwhile, the reason and cause why this our good Edict and well meant Ordinance is not obeyed according to the tenor and purport thereof, are that this sort of business and the profit easily accruing therefrom divert and lead many from their original and primitve calling, occupation and business to resort to Tavern-keeping, so that nearly the just fourth of the City of New Amsterdam consists of Brandy shops, Tobacco or Beer Houses, by the multitude whereof not only are more honorable Trades and Occupations neglected and disregarded, but even the Common people and the Company's servants seriously debauched; but what is still worse, the youth, seeing and following as from their very childhood this improper example of their Parents, are drawn from the paths of Virtue and into all sorts of irregularity. Hence also proceed Cheatings, Smuggling and frauds, and the clandestine sale of Beer and Brandy to the Indians and Natives, as daily experience, God help us! shows, from which nothing but new difficulties between us and them are to be apprehended; and moreover, decent Taverns, established and licensed for the use and accommodation of Travellers, Strangers and Inhabitants, which honorably and honestly pay their Taxes and Excise, and own or lease suitable houses, sitting under heavier expenses, are seriously injured in their licensed and lawful business by these underground Groggeries, wherein, being willing to provide according to the exigency of affairs, the circumstances of the time and our ability, Therefore, we, the Director General and Council, aforesaid, * * do Ordain and enact the following Regulation and By-law: Henceforward no new Ale-Houses, Taverns nor Tippling places shall be opened or set up except with the previous special knowledge and consent of the Director and Council unanimously granted and expressed. "Taverns, Alehouses and Tippling places already established may continue at least four consecutive years more, but in the meantime, remain bound and obliged to supply themselves like other decent trades in this place, with proper and respectable citizen houses for the embellishment and improvement of this City of New Amsterdam, each according to his state, quality and circumstances, pursuant to the Ordinance and regula tion for buildings made by the Director and Council, by the advice and with the knowledge of the City Surveyor (Roy Meesters). "Tavern-keepers and Tapsters, who are allowed for certain reasons to continue this business for at least four years more, may change their trade but may not transfer to another their business of tapping or selling liquor, nor hire nor sell their house and dwelling to any one else for that purpose, unless with the previous advice, full consent and permission of the Director and Council. "Item. Tavern-keepers and Tapsters from now henceforward shall not sell, barter or give as a present, either by the first, second or third hand, nor provide the Natives with any Beer, Wine, Brandy or Spirituous liquors, on pain of forfeiting their business, and of an arbitrary correction at the discretion of the Judge. "Item. To prevent all Fightings and Mischiefs, they shall be obliged to notify the Officer immediately in case anyone be wounded or hurt at their house, on pain of forfeiting their business and one pound Flemish for every hour after the wound or hurt has been inflicted and is concealed by the Tapster or Tavern keeper. "The Ordinances heretofore published against unseasonable Night reveling and immoderate drinking on the Sabbath, shall be observed with more strict attention and care by the Tavern keepers and Tapsters, to wit: that they shall not admit nor entertain any company in the evening after the ringing of the Farmers bell, nor sell nor furnish Beer or Liquor to any person, Travellers and Boarders alone excepted, on the Sunday before three o'clock in the afternoon, when Divine service is finished, under the penalty thereto affixed by law. "Item. They shall be bound not to receive, directly nor indirectly, into their houses or cellars any Wines, Beer or Strong liquors before these are entered at the office of the Receiver and a permit therefor received, under the forfeit of such their business, Beer and Liquors, and in addition a heavy fine at the direction of the Court. 66 Lastly. All Tavern keepers and Tapsters who are inclined to continue their business, shall within the space of eight days after the publication and posting hereof, give and hand in their address and names to the Director and Council and there solemnly [sic] promise punctually to observe in all its parts what is enacted or may hereafter be enacted on the subject of Tapsters and Tavern keepers, and conduct themselves decently in their calling as good and faithful subjects." An ordinance to compel the observance of the Sabbath day. "Petrus Stuyvesant, on behalf of the High and Mighty Lords, States General of the United Netherlands, His Highness the Lord Prince of Orange, and the Honorable Directors of the General Incorporated West India Company, Director General of New Netherland, Curasao and the Islands thereof, together with the Honorable Council. 'Whereas we see and find that, notwithstanding our well-meant Laws and Ordinances, heretofore promulgated for the observance and sanctification of the Holy Sabbath in conformity to God's Holy command, they are not complied with and obeyed according to our good intent and meaning but that it is still prophaned and desecrated in divers ways, to the great scandal, offence and reproach of the Commonalty and foreign neighbors who frequent this place, the contempt and disregard of God's Holy Word and of our Ordinances deduced therefrom, Therefore, We, the Director General and Council aforesaid, in order to avert as much as in us lies from Us and our Subjects the wrath and chastisement of God to be apprehended from these and other transgressions, do hereby renew and amplify our previous Edicts and Ordinaces, having for the stricter observance thereof, with the pre-advice of the Minister of the Gospel, deemed it expedient that a Sermon shall be preached from the Sacred Scriptures and the usual Prayers and Thanksgiving offered, from this time forward, in the afternoon as well as in the forenoon: Wherefore, we request and command all Our Officers, Subjects and Vassals to frequent and attend the same. Meanwhile, in conformity with our aforesaid ordinances, we forbid during Divine Service all Tapping, Fishing, Hunting and other customary avocations, trading and business, either in Houses, Cellars, Shops, Ships, Yachts or in the streets and markets, under the penalty of forfeiting all such wares, merchandizes and goods or their redemption with the sum of 25 florins until further order, to be applied to the Poor and the Church; and in addition thereto one pound Flemish to be forfeited as well by the Buyers as the Sellers, by the Lessees as by the Lessors, to be distributed one-half to the Officer, one-half at the discretion of the Court. On like manner, also, we do hereby interdict and forbid all persons on the aforesaid day, spending his time to the shame and scandal of others, in gross drunkenness and excess, on pain, if so found, of being arrested by our Fiscal and any superior and inferior Officer, and arbitrarily punished by the Court." ** 1648, May 13th. Ordinance prohibiting the sale of intoxicating Liquors to Indians. By the Director and Council of New Netherland: "Whereas it is seen and observed by daily experience that, notwithstanding it is repeatedly forbidden in previous Edicts to tap, give, barter or sell, by the third or fourth hand directly or indirectly, any strong drink to the Indians or Natives of these parts, yet it may every day be plainly perceived that Indians are running drunk along the Manhattans, and that the people who reside at a distance suffer serious annoyance from drunken Indians, whence new troubles and wars, as heretofore, are to be apprehended: Wherefore the Hon'ble Director General and Council have thought it necessary to renew once more the previous Ordinance, and hereby most strictly to forbid, as we hereby do, the giving, bartering or selling of any strong drink, by what name soever they may be called, and in case any one after the date hereof, be found [so offending] were it even that the information be received from the Indians (to whom for weighty reasons, credit shall be given in such case) he shall, in addition to the fine prescribed in the previous Ordinance, receive, without any dissimulation, an arbitrary corporal punishment; for it is better that such evil disposed persons be punished than that a whole country and people should suffer in consequence of their acts." 1649, November 8th. Ordinance prohibiting the exportation of grain and bread, and the malting of wheat. By the Director and Council of New Netherland: "The Director-General and Council of New Netherland, having remarked the scarcity of the crops the past year, and also that there is great complaint among the good Inhabitants that there is already scarcely enough Bread to be had of the Bakers for themselves and their children, * "Therefore, the Director and Council do by these presents Ordain that from this time forth until further Order and a larger supply of grain, no Brewer shall be permitted to malt or brew any Wheat on pain of forfeiting the wheat so malted, and an arbitrary penalty. And they do, furthermore, by these presents interdict and forbid the Exportation out of the Province of New Netherland of any Wheat, Rye, or baked Bread until, after a more exact estimate of the quantity of grain and yearly consumption our necessary consent to such shall be given." |