Document: Declaration of Thomas Dammon regarding powder that was smuggled on board the ship St. Pieter

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland appointed by the Chartered West India Company, appeared Tomas Damen, who in the presence of Isaac Allerton attests, testifies and declares, in place and with promise of a solemn oath if necessary and required, that he, the deponent, saw six kegs of powder brought in a sloop to the ship St. Piter, which kegs, as it was raining, were placed in the forecastle. The skipper and pilot, coming on board, stowed them away aft in the ship, quite low, covering the kegs with boards and putting there on cases and a quantity of other goods. He, the deponent, arriving here before the Manhatans on said ship, went aft below to get his things that were there and found that the cases and goods were gone. Feeling for the kegs, he found them still in the same place. The deponent also testifies that on the voyage he saw the cook, the supercargo and Cornelis de Boer go down with a marking pot and the cook had carved the Company’s mark on a bellow, in order that they might the better imitate it. The supercargo marked one case; the remainder were ankers of brandy. All of which the deponent offers to confirm. Done the 13th of December 1644, Manhatans in New Netherland.

[ Th ]o[ ma ]s Dammon
Is[ aac ] Allerton