Document: Application of the fiscal for leave to remove the books and papers of Cornelis van Tienhoven from his late residence

To the lord director general and councilors of New Netherland. Nicasius de Sille, fiscal, reverently makes known how it is that he, as protector of the law[i] has learned and seen that Cornelis van Tienhooven, former receiver has been missing for some days and also used deception by throwing his hat and cane in the water to mislead your honorable lords with the intention to deceive your honors and the superiors, or to have it look as if it might be an attempt on his person or possessions; but, whereas upon the plaintiff’s request from the previously related suspicion, your honors granted the plaintiff’s request to secure his papers and books;[ii] and, also done your honors piece by piece by Van Ruyven and Carel van Bruggen, but left in his house, about which the plaintiff feels troubled as not enough having been done. He also understands that the friends, such as his wife and others have free access to them, and being there it cannot be prevented that the aforesaid Cornelis can come by during the night and at other times [several lines lost] change; therefore, the petitioner addresses himself to your honors to request the authority to bring the same already sealed and appropriated by the aforesaid commissaries, both books and papers, to the council chamber, and to seek any others, to be inventoried. In addition, to apprehend the person of Cornelis van Tienhoven; also, to summon him by ringing of the bell to appear within the time of eight days to hear such demands and conclusionsof the plaintiff in order to respond thereon, or to make satisfaction of his receipts and expenses. Whereas one presumes something bad to come out of this, which your honors could never justify otherwise as the negligence of the plaintiff if your honors did not offer the plaintiff a strong hand to press him, Cornelis van Tienhoven, on it. Thus doing etc. Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the [ ] of November 1656. (was signed) Nicasius de Sille.