Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 22-29 September 1639

On the 22d of September

[1]The honorable director and council hereby warn all residents within our limits that they are forbidden to take less than 12 schepels of maize from the Indians for one coat of duffel, until such time as a fixed price shall be set with the heathen by the director. All persons are to govern themselves accordingly, on pain, if they are found to have acted contrary hereto, of paying a fine of fl. 100 and of forfeiting for life the privilege of trading. Let every one guard himself against loss.

Cornelis vander Hoykens, fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Tomas Walraven, defendant, for violence committed in the houses of the blacks. Defendant is condemned to pay fl. 12 for the benefit of the fiscal.

Davit Pietersen, plaintiff, vs. Govert Danlelsen, defendant. Plaintiff demands that the defendant complete his term of service. Defendant answers that Davit Pietersen has voluntarily released him from his service and demands payment for the service rendered. Parties have settled with each other in court, so that neither one nor the other has any further claim.

Tomas Bescher, plaintiff, vs. Willem Willemsen, defendant. Default.

Tomas de Coninc and Marritjen Frans from Beets came and appeared before the court and requested to be legally married. Therefore, the aforesaid persons have on this date at their request been joined in the holy state of matrimony in court at Fort Amsterdam.

On the 29th of September

Cornelis vander Hoykens, fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Tomas Sandersen, defendant, for drawing his knife and wounding his helper. Defendant Is condemned to pay a fine of fl. 12 and Abraham Isaacsen Is fined fl. 6. It Is also ordered that Elslandt and Curler, as referees, are to settle the further differences between the parties.

Manuel de Gerrit de Reus, plaintiff, vs. Jan Damen, defendant. Default.