Document: Complaint of Goodman Harck's wife against Richard Pontum

Cornelis van Tienhooven, fiscal, plaintiff, against Johannis van Beecq, defendant; the defendant fails to appear, and because this is his third default, the director-general and council declare his marriage to be illegal and judgment is passed against him. Done in New Amsterdam, 8 September; present: the entire council (except for Mr. Cornelis van Werckhooven).

The housewife of Goetman Harck appeared at the session and complained that on the morning of 7 May her barn containing hay was burned down and that also some other implements were lost in the aforesaid barn. She also said that she suspected (without knowing for sure) that the fire was set by the pirates, and that a certain Ritchert Pontum was standing by the fire in the morning. When Harck came by and grabbed him, asking what he was doing there, he said, "As long as you side with the Dutch and French, it will always be so." 8 September 1654; present: the honorable director and the entire council, except for Mr. van Werckhooven.