Document: Declaration of William Hays respecting a visit paid at the tavern in company with Fiscal van Dyck and others

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Willem Heays from Barriscourt, surgeon, aged about thirty-four years, who at the request of the honorable director general and council attests, testifies and declares, in place and with promise of a solemn oath if need be and required, that between the 21st and 22nd of July, at about eleven o’clock at night, he, the deponent, was taking a walk through the city of New Amsterdam with Hendrick Ellersz, Jacob, the steward, and Mr. Dollingh, when they met Fiscal van Dyck, who asked them whence they came. To which they answered they were taking a walk. The fiscal replied: “I know where you come from; you come from the tavern. Come with me, we shall go in there again.” Finally, the fiscal knocked at the door of the tavern keeper, Gerrit the miller, who would not open. At last the door was opened by Mattys Capata. The fiscal, on entering the house, called for wine, so that a gill of brandy was tapped. After the fiscal had taken a drink, he went out, saying: “I shall soon join you again; be merry together.” He, Willem Heays, and Jan Dollingh having remained there, the fiscal returned toward dawn, being pretty drunk, and said: “You people must pay for what the fiscal spent tonight.” The deponent declares all this to be true, offering to confirm it at all times on oath. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 21st of July anno 1647.

William Heays
Cor. van Tienhoven