Document: Judgment against John Lawrence for smuggling

Nicasius de Sille, ex officio, plaintiff, against Jan Laurence, defendant. The plaintiff says and proves that the defendant transported a quantity of beavers outside this city without declaring them to the commies (authorized thereto by the director general and councilors) or having them declared, which is directly against and in violation of the edict of the director general and councilors published on 23 April last; therefore, in accordance with the tenor of the aforesaid edict, he demands confiscation of the said beavers and, in addition, twice the value thereof.

In his written replies the defendant acknowledges that he transported a pack of beavers outside this city into Smits valleij into his house, but he says that he would have paid the proper recognition fee on it before he would have transported them further.

The director general and councilors, having heard the fiscal’s claim and the evidence concerning the case, together with the judgment and the answer of the defendant, and having paid attention to [ whatever may be relevant in the matter ] [several lines lost] setting [ ] example [ ] expenses. Thus done [ ] by director general and councilors [ in Fort ] Amsterdam in New Netherland, dated as above.

P. Stuyvesant Pieter Tonneman

J. de Deckere 1658

Note. It is ordered that when the 300 guilders mentioned above will have come in, they shall be applied, 1/3 for the Company, 1/3 for the lord fiscal, 1/3 for the church. Dated as above.

On 12 December it is resolved to suspend the above sentence, and not to execute it, as can be seen under the said date. This, for guidance.