to enrich themselves. They got possession of large
blocks of the 'best arable land, numerous cattle ranches, and many slaves
and exploited their official positions to control access to shipping and
external markets. A crisis came in 170 5, when Willem Adriaan van der Stel
modified the wine concession to his advantage. Sixty-three free burghers
signed a petition denouncing the officials and sent it to Amsterdam. The
officials responded by getting 240 signatures to a counterpetition.
Even-
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