Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 15 August 1648

The 15th of August anno 1648

Fiscal van Dyck, plaintiff, against Hendryck the tailor, and Albert the carpenter, for having molested the rounds on the street and made use of abusive language at night, after the guard had been posted.

The director and council having seen the fiscal's complaint and the proofs thereof, as well as the declaration and report of the burgher officers, the defendants are condemned to pay a fine of fl. 50 to be applied 1/3 for the church, 1/3 for the fiscal, and 1/3 for the watch, as an example to others, and in case they be found hereafter repeating such offenses and misdemeanors they shall be punished corporally.

Whereas the grist mill has hitherto been nothing but a burden to the honorable Company in consequence of the great and necessary repairs which are constantly required, and the rent derived from it is not sufficient to meet the expense, it is for the best interest and profit of the honorable Company considered necessary by the council that the honorable Company do not lease the mill, but appoint a miller to have charge of it and give him decent wages, say fl. 40 a month, on condition that the toll shall be paid to the receiver, from which money the mill shall be kept in repair and the miller paid. Thus done the 15th of August anno 1648, in New Amsterdam in New Netherland.

The director general and council having seen with regret the unseaworthiness of the yacht De Liefde and that she is bare of all necessary equipment, which is not on hand nor to be had here; also, that we have here neither materials nor carpenters to repair, furnish and fit out for sea the said ship again and moreover provisions and men are lacking, the vessel being very leaky and absolutely requires to be sheathed, which for reasons above set forth cannot be done here; therefore, it is unanimously resolved in council to be most profitable and advantageous to the honorable Company to sell before winter the said ship at the first opportunity. If no purchasers be found, it is resolved to haul the little vessel on shore next winter and there to take down the running and standing rigging, therewith to fit out next spring the ships that may come out of the sea, as to all appearances these will also be destitute of everything. This 15th of August anno 1648, in Fort Amsterdam.