Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 4 October 1640

On the 4th of October anno 1640

Hester Symons, widow of the late Jacob Vernu, plaintiff, vs. Roelandt Hackwart, defendant, for slander. Plaintiff demands that the defendant retract the slander or prove that she is a whore. Defendant declares in court that he acknowledges the said Hester Symons to be a virtuous woman and that he knows nothing about her but what is good.

Jan Damen and Davit Provoost, chosen guardians of Jan van Vorst, plaintiffs, vs. Jacob Stoffelsen, defendant. Plaintiffs demand from the defendant the accounting which on the 20th of September last he was ordered to make today. Defendant answers that he is ready to render the accounting, provided the plaintiffs give security that they will reimburse him for any debts which may afterward come to light in Holland or elsewhere concerning the estate of Cornelis van Vorst. It is ordered that the plaintiffs, if they earnestly desire an accounting from the defendant, give security for the [ payment of the ] debts which may yet come to light.

On the 11th of October 1640

Baltasar Lourens and Tomas Broen, plaintiffs, vs. Davit Provoost, defendant. Second default.

Jan Jacobsen from Vrelant, plaintiff, vs. Barent Dircksz, baker, defendant. Second default.