Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 16-30 September 1638

On the 16th of September anno 1638,

being Thursday

Everardus Bogardus, defendant, vs. Johannes La Pontaengne, plaintiff. Whereas the defendant has a power of attorney from Geertrujt Bornstra, widow of the late Hendrick de Foreest, plaintiff's brother-in-law, to demand the goods and effects of the said Foreest, the plaintiff requests that the defendant take possession of the house together with the cattle and appurtenances of the plantation, provided the defendant pay the plaintiff the balance of the amount due him by de Foreest, according to the account thereof. Parties are ordered to submit their complaint and answer in writing on the next court day.

On the 30th of September, being Thursday

The director and council of New Netherland having seen the criminal action and demand of the fiscal against Jan Gysbertsen from Rotterdam, charged with manslaughter committed in killing Gerrit Jansen, gunner, before the gate of Fort Amsterdam on Saturday, being the 15th of May 1638, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and having examined the testimony of witnesses together with the reports of the surgeons who examined the body, the personal summons and defaults taken against him and the conclusion of the fiscal, and the aforesaid writings have been duly weighed and considered by us, after invocation of the name of God; therefore, we, wishing to do justice, have debarred the delinquent from all exceptions, defenses and pleas whatsoever which he might have made use of in the aforesaid matter, and therefore declare Jan Gysbertsen aforesaid in every way liable to arrest if he can be apprehended for the aforesaid ugly crime committed against the highest majesty of God and his supreme rulers as well as against the blood relations of the deceased, whom he, the delinquent, murderously robbed of their friend and relative; all of which in a land of Justice can in no wise be tolerated of suffered but ought to be punished with all rigor as an example to others.