Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 19 July 1649

Holding Institution
Document ID
NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p442
Description

Answer. Of the director-general to the above propositions. [1649]

Document Date
1649-07-19
Document Date (Date Type)
1649-07-19
Document Type
Document Type Unlinked
Minutes
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Translation
Translation

2. That an Indian of Mechgachkamic had lately involuntarily and unknowingly committed an offense at Paulus Hoeck. They requested therefore that we would excuse the same.

3. Pennekeck said the tribe called Raretanoos, formerly living at Wiqaeskeck, had no chief. They therefore spoke for them and they would, like them, be our friends and through him sent their greetings to the director, whereupon he threw down three beavers as a present.

4. That Meyterma, chief of Neyick, and his people were included in this agreement and like them would be and remain our friends, throwing down three beavers.

5. For those of Remahenonck as above, with a like present.

6. Pennekeck threw down two beavers and declared in the name of all that their heart was sincere and that they sought to live with us in friendship, forgetting on one side as well as the other what had passed.

7. Pennekeck said: "I wish you could see my heart, then you would be sure that the words I speak are sincere and true.He threw down two beavers, saying, "That is my confirmation."

8. The honorable director had in former times desired to speak with them; it was done now and they had shown their good intentions and were now awaiting what he would do, laying down upon this article two beavers.

9. Pennekeck said, although the honorable director general could not understand them, they did not doubt his good intentions.

10. In conclusion Pennekeck said: it is the wish of the Minquas that we and you should be and remain friends, for which we are ready.

The honorable director general first caused the chiefs to be thanked for having come to visit him with offers of neighborly friendship and told them that he was pleased to hear such a request. He promised them that nothing whatever would be wanting on our part and that he was willing to live with them in mutual friendship and neighborly intercourse. No cause for complaints would be given and if anyone injured them they should report the same to the director, in order that they should receive justice according to the circumstances of the case. In token of his good will he accepted their presents on the aforesaid propositions with thanks and in due time he would return the compliment. A small present of about 20 guilders was then given to the common Indians and some tobacco and a gun to the chief Oratanin, and so the Indians departed, well pleased. This day, [ blank ].

[Ordinance to enforce the law respecting

weights and measures][1]

Translation Superscripts
[1]: Revised from Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, pp. 109-10.
References

From the collections of the New York State Archives, Albany, New York.  https://www.archives.nysed.gov/  

Translation link see: http://iarchives.nysed.gov/xtf/view?docId=tei/A1809/NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p442.xml

Published bound volume is also available: Translation: Scott, K., & Stryker-Rodda, K. (Ed.). New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. 4, Council Minutes, 1638-1649 (A. Van Laer, Trans.). Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1974.

Copyright to the published bound volume is held by the Holland Society of New York.
A complete copy of this publication is available on the
New Netherland Institute website.

A1809 Additional Party
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