Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 19 August 1648

Hendrick van Dyck, fiscal, complains against Jan from Leyden, freeman, defendant, for drawing a knife and resisting an officer of the law. The fiscal's complaint and the evidence in support thereof being heard in court, said Jan from Leyden is condemned to pay a fine of fl. 100 before his release from confinement, as an example to other turbulent persons. Present: the honorable general, Mr. Dincklagen, Mr. La Montagne, Briant Nuton and Paulus Leendersz.

The honorable court-martial having seen and read all the information taken by the fiscal against Johannes Hoodenborch from Hamburg, at present under arrest, and having duly considered everything that is to be noted and observed, they find that it does not appear from said information that the said prisoner deserves any punishment for the homicide of Gerrit Jansen from Amsterdam, committed on the night of the 21st of July; wherefore, said Hoodenborch is provisionally released on bail and allowed to go about on the island of Manhatans. And in order that no one may plead Ignorance, every inhabitant of New Netherland is hereby notified by the ringing of the bell, that if any person know anything incriminating said Hoodenborch, or tending to exculpate the slain person he shall communicate the same to the proper authorities within three consecutive court days, when the honorable court-martial will proceed to the final disposition of the case. Thus done and published in Fort Amsterdam, the 19th of August anno 1648, in New Netherland.

Augustyn Heermans, free merchant on the Island of Manhatans, becomes bail for Johannes Hoodenborch that he shall appear in court when required on account of the manslaughter of Gerrit Jansen from Amsterdam. This 19th of August anno 1648. Resolved to renew until further order the Ordinance published the [ 23rd of February ] anno 1645 by the late director and council, relative to the trade in powder and lead. This 19th of August 1648.