Document: Answer and plea of Michel Tadens to the complaint of the fiscal against him

To the highly esteemed lords director general and high councilors of New Netherland.

Michiel Tadens defendant against

the lord fiscal, by virtue of his office, plaintiff

The defendant admits having given the wild a little drink in compensation for the fish which he had gotten from him the day before, as he had wanted no payment for it; for which he had not expected to have committed such a serious offence against your honors’ placards. The lord plaintiff having considered this, [ ] known that the same placard is interpreted in this regard, but the fact that the defendant ever would have sold brandy to the wilden, as well as other strong spirits, and that he would be notorious for doing this, he strongly denies, as he never intended to do such, and is saddened that the lord plaintiff would think this of him; and whereas he hopes that the interpretation of the aforesaid placard according to your honors is nothing more than for punishment for those who willfully sell or dispense brandy or spirits to the wilden for their debauchery and not for the punishment of such a trifle as this; therefore, he humbly requests that your honors be pleased arbitrarily to reject the lord fiscal’s charge and to ease and lessen the monetary fine as your honors might be pleased to find out of compassion for a poor citizen; also to release him from confinement on bail and that the one and a half ankers of spirits be restored to him. (below stood) Your honors’ humble servant.

After deliberation it was recommended as follows: to place this into the hands of the fiscal, by virtue of the office, plaintiff. Done at Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 31st of July 1656.