Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 17 January 1647

Sybolt Claessen, plaintiff, vs. Cornelis Tonissen, defendant, for payment of fl. 150. The wife of the plaintiff, appearing, admits the debt and requests time. Defendant is ordered to pay one-half now and the remainder next Easter.

Jan Laurensen,[1] plaintiff, vs. Adriaen van[ der ] Donck, defendant, because the defendant, while being officer of the colony of Renselaerswyck, attached and kept three pieces of duffel which are alleged to belong to Coster.[2] Defendant answers that he does not know of any cloth belonging to Coster. Ordered that parties shall submit their complaint and answer in writing.

Cornelis Volckersen, plaintiff, vs. Adriaen van[ der ] Donck, defendant, about some debt due to the plaintiff by Hans Fomer. The defendant promises to pay when the accounts between him and Hans Fomer shall have been settled.

Whereas by order of the honorable director general and council of New Netherland notices have been posted regarding the leasing of the ferry, house and effects of Cornelis Melyn and these notices have been torn down by some malicious persons to us unknown, notwithstanding they were affixed at the usual places, such as the fort, the warehouse and the tavern, and whereas this is a matter of grave consequence which can not be tolerated; therefore, the honorable director and council aforesaid hereby promise to give a reward of one hundred guilders to whoever shall be able to report who tore off the above mentioned notices, and in addition [ they promise ] to conceal the name of the informer. Thus done in council in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 29th of January 1647.

The last of January

Elke Jansen, plaintiff, vs. Gerrit Douman, defendant, for accusing her of theft, for which plaintiff demands reparation. Ordered that Douman's wife shall prove that Elke said that Douman himself stole the money and that Gerrit Se[ g ]ers committed perjury.