Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 4-11 December 1642

On the 4th of December anno 1642

Govert Loockmans, plaintiff, vs. Tyman Jansen, defendant.

The plaintiff, having power of attorney from Dirck Corsz, demands payment of fl. 550. The defendant, before answering, requests time until next the session of the court; also a written copy of the complaint.

Cornelio vander Hoykens, fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Michiel Picet and Nicola Boet, defendants, for having beaten the wife of Touchyn. It is ordered that Michil and Nicola Boet shall pay the surgeon and fl. 20 to the woman for her pain.

Nicolaes Boet, plaintiff, vs. Michiel Picet, defendant, regarding land which the plaintiff cleared for the defendant. The case is referred to G[ e ]orge Rapaelje and Jan Montfoort as referees.

G[ e ]orge Rapaelje, plaintiff, vs. Michiel Picet, defendant, about the biting of a goat. It is ordered that he shall pay the plaintiff fl. 4 for the damage.

Cornelis Volckersz, plaintiff, vs. Gregoris Pietersz, defendant. First default.

Cornelio vander Hoykens, fiscal, is authorized to execute the sentence pronounced at the last session of the court against Hendrick, the tailor, by the honorable councilors and additional members of the court.

On the 11th of December 1642

In view of the multitude of English persons who dally come to reside among us and the fact that many questions arise in connection with litigation and the consequences thereof, which makes it highly necessary for us to have a person who can write English and has some experience in legal matters to assist us therein and now and then to write letters, we have therefore provisionally engaged for this service the person of G[ e ]orge Bacxter, at a yearly salary of fl. 250.