But they remonstrated against the establishment of an arbitrary government; and complained that laws had been enacted without the consent of the people.
"This," said they, "is contrary to the granted privilege of the Netherland government and odious to every free-born man; and especially so to those whom God has placed in a free state in newly-settled lands, who are entitled to claim laws not transcending, but resembling as near as possible those of the Netherlands." There were several minor offences enumerated to which we need not here refer.

The memorial was drawn up by an Englishman, George Baxter.

The imperious Stuyvesant was greatly annoyed by this document.

To weaken its effect, he declared that the delegates had no authority to act or even to meet upon such questions.

He endeavored to rouse national prejudice against the document by saying: "The most ancient colony of Manhattan, the colonies of Rensselaerswyck and Staten Island and the settlements at Beaverswyck and on the South river are too prudent to subscribe to all that has been projected by an Englishman; as if among the Netherlands' nation there is no one sagacious and expert enough to draw up a remonstrance to the Director and council.".