Any one who should attend such a meeting was to be punished by a penalty of twenty-five pounds.
This law was rigorously enforced.

Recusants were fined and imprisoned.
Complaints were sent to Holland, and the governor was severely rebuked for his bigotry.
"We would fain," the Directors wrote to Stuyvesant, "not have seen your worship's hand set to the placard against the Lutherans, nor have heard that you oppressed them with the imprisonments of which they have complained to us.

It has always been our intention to let them enjoy all calmness and tranquillity.

Wherefore you will not hereafter publish any similar placards, without our previous consent, but allow all the free exercise of their religion within their own houses." But Stuyvesant was a man born to govern, not be governed.

He was silent respecting the instructions he had received from home.