Request on behalf of 100 persons, born in England, to be permitted to take up residence in this city.
To my Worshipful Lords, my lords the burgomasters and magistrates of the city of Leiden.
With due respect and submission, John Robinson (Jan Rabarthsen), minister of the Word of God, together with some members of the community of the Christian Reformed religion, born in the Kingdom of Great Britain, to the number of one hundred persons or thereabouts, both men and women, humbly show that they intend, before long — indeed by next May — to take up residence within this city and its freedom, in order to support themselves by their various trades and occupations, without in the least burdening anyone.
The petitioners therefore turn to Your Worships, requesting most earnestly that Your Worships be pleased to grant them free and unrestricted consent to settle as aforesaid. This done, etc.
In the margin was noted:
The magistrates, considering the present request, declare that they refuse no honest persons free and unrestricted entry to come and take up residence within this city, provided they conduct themselves honestly and submit to all the bylaws and ordinances here in force, and that accordingly the petitioners' arrival here shall be welcome and agreeable to them.
Thus done in their assembly at the town hall, this 12th of February 1609.
Below was written: in my presence and signed, J. van Hout.
Translation by Radicae, The Leiden Connection, from the Dutch transcription supplied by Erfgoed Leiden. "Jan Rabarthsen" is the Dutch clerk's rendering of John Robinson's name; J. van Hout was Leiden's city secretary.
