Document: Sentence of banishment against John Sharp for fomenting mutiny

Whereas John Sharp, at present a prisoner, hath presumed, in disparagement of his previous banishment, not only to come back to this Province of New Netherland, on the 8th of this month, without consent and contrary to the published Orders and Proclamations, to bring a letter, but hath, moreover, presumed, in the Town of Weschester and other places within this government, to spread such reports and relate stories that can be considered to proceed only from fomenters of mutiny and disturbance, which can no wise be tolerated in a well regulated community, but is deserving of condign punishment as an example to others; therefore the Governor-General and Council of New Netherland, administering justice in the name and on the behalf of their High Mightinesses, the States-General of the United Netherlands and his Serene Highness the Prince of Orange, &c., having heard the Fiscal's demand and the prisoner's acknowledgment, have condemned and adjudged, as they hereby condemn and sentence said John Sharp to be banished out of this Province of New Netherland for the term of ten years, without coming back during that time on pain of corporal punishment, and to pay costs of Court and expenses of justice. Done Fort Willem Hendrick, 12th May, 1674.By order of the Governor-General and Council of New Netherland.