to their instructions.” This Board consisted of Augustine Herrman, Arnoldus Van Hardenburg and Govert Loockermans who represented the merchants; the citizens or burgers were represented by Jacob Wolfertsen, Jan Jensen Damen and Hendricks Kip; Michael Jansen, Jan Evertsen Bout and Thomas Hall representing the farmers. Čapek says that the board on which Herrman sat consisted of but eight men; but he probably confused the Nine Men of Peter Stuyvesant with the Eight Men of Governor Kieft.[1] For the first two years Herrman was president or chairman of the Nine Men; and in 1649 was replaced by Adriaen Van der Donck, Herrman continuing to serve as vice-chairman. Six men retired annually to be replaced by an equal number selected from twelve names sent in by the Board as a whole. The sessions were held in David Provoost’s school. The institution of the Nine Men of New Amsterdam was the precursor of the Burgomasters and Schepens and eventually of the municipal form of government of New York.[2] Twice was Herrman returned and on the list for February 2, 1652 his name was absent. One year later the Nine Men went out of existence; out of the seven Herrman served six continuous years.
When the board of Nine Men was instituted it was thought that it would prove to be the remedy for the maladministration that had formerly characterized the government of New Amsterdam. But reforms were slow in coming. Peter Stuyvesant proved a capable match for the combined vigor of the tribunal and in the end he generally had his way. His administration was troubled by various outside influences. War with the Swedes broke out in 1648. Trouble arose with the New England colonies and Dutch trade at New Amsterdam was
