Document: Declaration of Surgeon Van den Bogaerdt and Willem de Key respecting an assault committed by Black John on Ensign Van Dyck

Before [ me, Cornelis van Ti ]enhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Harmen Meyndersen van den Bogaert, aged 30 years, and Willem de Key, aged 19 years, who at the request of the fiscal attest, testify and declare, in place and with promise of a solemn oath if need be and required, that it is true that they, the deponents, yesterday evening, between the hours of six and seven, at the house of Philip Geraerdy, saw and heard Black Jan say to Ensign Van Dyck: “Brother, I drink to you!” To which the ensign answered: “Brother, I thank you.” Instead of handing over the can, Black Jan struck the ensign with the can on the forehead, so that the blood flowed, saying, “That is Munnekedam fashion,” and then threw the ensign over on his back. And all this happened without their having any dispute or words with each other. All of which they offer to confirm. Done the 27th of January anno 1644.

Harmannus A. Booghardy
Willem de Key
Cornelis van Tienhoven