Document: Appointment of Isaac Grevenraet to be schout at Esopus, arrests for sedition, confiscation of furs belonging to Thomas Willett

From the nomination of the courts of Swaenenburgh, Hurley and Marbletown, the Governor- General hath elected Isaac Grevenraet as Schout of said towns, and this day in Council administered to him the oath as Schout.Thomas Wandel having been complained of and detained for some seditious words spoken against the government, being this day examined, he denied the charge, notwithstanding Jan Jacobse, the complainant, affirms the same in his presence. He is for the present released from confinement, with a warning to be careful in future not to attempt anything against the present government.Jan Albertse being imprisoned for uttering some seditious words against the government, but the proofs not being sufficient, he is released, and ordered to be more careful for the future.The Council having read and considered the information of the Burgher watch of this city in the matter of the ten packs of heaver belonging to Captain Thomas Wiliett seized by them about midnight, between the 19th and 20th of this month, having been put on board a canoe with the intention, as said Willet himself acknowledges, to export them without entering them, in direct contravention of the laws and placards to that end enacted.Whereupon Captain Willet having been repeatedly summoned before the Council and asked what could be brought forward in defence, answers, that he had in no wise tried to smuggle those Beavers to defraud the public revenue, but only to save them from the general seizure imposed on all his goods; requesting that they, for the reasons and motives more fully set forth in his petition, and through commisseration, may be restored to him, &c.All which being considered by the Governor-General and Council, they declare said seized and not entered beavers and peltries confiscate and forfeit, agreeably to the pubhsiied placards, but he is excused this time, for reasons, from further fines and penalties.Dated Fort Willem Hendrick, 25th October, 1673.