Document: Examination of Samuel Touw

Cornelis van Thienhooven [ ] plaintiff, against Johan van B [ ] ,[158] [ ] who fails to appear and is issued [ ] default. Dated as above.

Cornelis van Thienhooven, fiscal, against Samuel Touw, presently a prisoner; the plaintiff, submitting his charge in writing, requests that Samuel Touw be asked whether he has not sheltered any pirates. The defendant, having been so asked, replies that during the time of the troubles he was forced to give shelter to some pirates against his will, because he was afraid in his remote location. He further requests that he be allowed to post bail and be released from detention, on the condition that he always would be ready to appear before the court when summoned. He is granted this by the honorable director-general and high council, and posts therefore as security all his movable and immovable goods, especially his house and plantation in Mespats, as appears by the bond signed by him and held by the fiscal. Done at the session, 2 September 1654, New Amsterdam.