At a Council in Fort Willem Hendrick, Thursday 22nd February, 1674.
Pltff. alleges that the Deft. contrary to the Proclamation of the 31st October, purchased a crane from a soldier and paid 2 cans of rum for it; concludes that the Deft. shall be condemned in a double fine with costs.Deft. answers that his wife did not buy the crane, but in ignorance of the Proclamation had given 2 cans of rum as a present for it, &c.The Governor-General and Council of New Netherland decide that the Deft.'s wife dealt out the rum contrary to the Proclamation, and he is therefore condemned in the double fine according to the Proclamation, being 4 cans of rum &c., with costs.
Deft. being in default it is ordered that copy of the demand be placed in the hands of Deft., who is ordered to appear personally or by attorney on the next Court day, to answer thereunto.
The committee of the Burgomasters not appearing to render to the Court according to previous order further explanation of their rendered sentence, it is resolved to continue this case to the next meeting.
Pltff. alleges that the Deft. hath committed in the Town of Flushing divers evil deeds and actions, using force in breaking doors open, beating women and children, burning houses and threatening further acts of arson; concludes, therefore, that Deft. ought, as an example to others, be severely whipped and furthermore banished out of the country; with costs.Deft. answers that he would not have done so had they not kept his grain and horses from him.The Governor-General and Council having considered that the Deft. is not in possession of his right reason, therefore pardon him this crime, and he is directed forthwith to take up his abode on Staten Island where he shall be put to work by order of the Magistrate who is hereby empowered, if the Deft. behave badly, to punish him according as he may deserve.Read and considered the petition of Elizabeth de Potter, widow of Isaac Bedloo, complaining that Gabriel Minvielle grossly defames her late husband, and being at present at law with said Minvielle in the city Court respecting some unpaid and protested bills of exchange; requests, therefore, that another indifferent person shall he put in his place as Commissioner for settling the books and further that the Commissioner's demand and contradictions be put in writing, to be replied to by the Petitioner.Question being put, it is declared:The Governor-General and Council of New Netherland see no more reason for excusing Gabriel Minvielle than any other of the Commissioners, but allow the Petitioner, in case she thinks proper, to depute another on her side, in addition to the already appointed Commissioners for the settlement of the books, and the Commissioners shall be recommended to use all possible expedition in the winding up of the books. As regards the alleged injury, the Petitioner is at liberty to institute her action before the competent tribunal therefor, and further explanation is required of her request about pulling to paper the demand and contradictions.
