Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 21 April 1649

Second, that many times both in and out of the council I have said to councillors as well as freemen that I had asked Vastrick to do this so that the freemen who are often seeking guns, would also be able to obtain them for a reasonable price. So that by these I declare that whatever is commissioned and is wrongly done in this matter has been done by our purposeful request.

Third, I declare that Vastrick had just arrived here when he informed me that he had brought along 30 firelocks at my request, and asked where I wished these brought. I asked that these would be delivered to the Commissioner, and so that the fiscal would be informed of the quantity of the same, he and other councillors, including even the alternate (deputy) Dincklagen, [ were present ] last Monday morning before the first goods were unloaded from the ship. Thus we declare that something both wrong and suspect has occurred with the forementioned 30 firelocks, on my commission for which all impartial men and judges hope to answer. The fiscal in accordance with his office made the result into the proper charge with a plurality of voices, I myself not voting, etc. This 21 April 1649, New Amsterdam, in assembly declared by the honorable Director General and was signed P. Stuyvesant.

The fiscal submitted his charge in writing in last instance against the skipper of the little ship Prince William.

The skipper appeared and said that in the ship a case of firelocks was transported by the merchant Vastrick, and that it is his duty to take over whatever is transported by his merchant who had also told him that he had commands and orders of the gentlemen directors for this.

Gerrit Vastrick being heard in assembly answered that on the request and order of the gentlemen directors he had brought the case with firelocks in which were 30 pieces to New Netherland.

The honorable Director General and Councillors have seen the written charge drawn up against Cornelis Coenraetsz van Campen, skipper on the ship Prince William, concerning a certain case of firearms of 30 pieces brought here by this same ship, and delivered into the warehouse of the Company. And it is understood by the Director General and the council in full assembly that the affair concerning these will remain in suspension until further orders from the gentlemen directors, with the understanding that the forementioned skipper in view of the fiscal's charge and action will post substantial bail, for which Mr. Peter Stuyvesant who is providing ball for him wants him kept under close guard, the more so, declares the Director General, since the aforementioned firelocks were brought along on his order for the account of the Company. Thus was done on 21 April 1649 in New Nether land. Present were Mr. P. Stuyvesant, La Montagne, and Briant Nuton.