Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 28 September - 5 October 1648

28 September anno 1648

Whereas great complaints are daily made by Indians and natives to the honorable director general and council that some inhabitants of New Netherland put the natives to work and employ them in their service and frequently dismiss them without pay after the work is performed and persist, against all public law, in refusing to pay the Indians for their labor, which Indians threaten, if they are not remunerated and paid, to pay themselves, or to revenge themselves by other improper means; Therefore, the honorable director general and council, in order to put a stop to this and to prevent as much as possible, in good time, all mischief, warn all inhabitants who are indebted to the Indians for wages or otherwise to pay them without contradiction, and if in future they employ them they shall be bound to pay them on the representation and complaint of the Indians, who for good reasons shall in that case be competent witnesses; on pain of paying such fine as in the circumstances of the case shall be found proper.

Thus done in council and published the 28th September 1648, in New Amsterdam. Present: the honorable director general, L. van Dincklagen, La Montagne, B. Nuton and Paulus Leendertsen. Whereas Hans Loodwyck and Jacob Hendricksz from Benschop have contrary to the order and custom of New Netherland, without the knowledge of the honorable director general and council, secretly run away, they are by the ringing of the bell summoned to defend themselves on account of their desertion. This 28th of September 1648.

The 5th of October 1648

Antony Crol is by the honorable director general and council appointed master of the yacht De Liefde at fl. 50 per month, commencing on the date hereof.

The deacons presenting a petition to the council request thereby that the honorable director general and council be pleased to favor the deaconry with a donation, as God has granted their honors a valuable prize and the confiscation of Jacob Heynsen's peltries. Therefore, the honorable director general and council have unanimously resolved that fl. 500 be allowed and paid to the deacons when the account is made up and the books are closed. This day, the of October anno 1648, in New Amsterdam.