Document: Complaint against Jurriaen Theunissen and Marcelis Jansen

Extraordinary Session Held in Fort OrangeDecember 30, 1660

Present:

La MontagneAnderies HerpertsenRutger JacobsenSander LeendersenJan Ver BeeckFrans Baerentsen PastoorEvert Jansen Wendel

Johannes La Montagne, in his capacity as officer, plaintiff, against Jurriaen Theunesen, tavern keeper, defendant.The plaintiff says and complains that the defendant, contrary to the ordinances and placards of the honorable director general and council of New Netherland, has ventured at night, after the ringing of the bell, to entertain guests and serve drinks, on account of which the plaintiff has fined the defendant, having found afterwards that 20 persons were present. He asks therefore that the defendant, according to the ordinance, be condemned to pay a fine of 6 guilders for each person who was present.The defendant says that he was not at home, but that it happened through the servant.The honorable court, having heard the parties, finds after mature deliberation that the defendant is guilty of the deed and condemns him to pay a fine of ƒ70 in the period of twenty-four hours.

Idem plaintiff, against Marceles Jansen, defendant.The plaintiff says and complains that the defendant, contrary to the ordinances and placards of the honorable director general and council of Fort New Netherland, has ventured at night, after the ringing of the bell, to entertain guests and to serve drinks, on account of which he was fined by the court messenger (who came by order of the honorable plaintiff), to whom the defendant said, ‘Til tap the entire night, in spite of Montagne.” He asks therefore that the defendant be fined according to the ordinance and, in addition, be ordered to pay a fine of ƒ50 for his insolent remarks.The defendant denies it.The plaintiff produces the report of the court messenger and, in addition, four witnesses, who declare that they heard it.The honorable court, having heard the parties and also examined the report of the court messenger and heard the verbal testimony of the four witnesses, condemns the defendant to pay a fine of ƒ70 and, furthermore, a fine of ƒ50 for his insolent remarks.