Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 4-11 October 1646

Haye Jansen, plaintiff, vs. Jan Laurensen, defendant, for the balance of freight and other charges which plaintiff and defendant are claiming from each other.

Seger Tonissen and Jan Jansen Schepmoes, together with Mr. Isaack Allerton, are ordered and requested by the honorable director general and council of New Netherland to examine as referees the writings and other matters on both sides and if possible to make parties come to an amicable agreement, or to report to us their opinion in writing.

Jan Jansen, plaintiff, vs. Haye Jansen, defendant, for the delivery of an aam of caraway [ seed ]. Ordered that the defendant shall prove that the aam was put ashore, or, in default thereof, that he shall satisfy the plaintiff. In regard to the anker, plaintiff shall prove to whom he delivered it.

Arnoldus van Hardenbergh has declared under oath before the council that Haye Jansen said to him: "Take my gun and keep it until I return yours." Whereupon, said Haye is condemned to restore the gun.

11th of October

The wife of Jan Eversen Bout, plaintiff, vs. Marry de Truy, the wife of Cornelis Volckertsen, defendant, about the purchase of boards sold by Cornelis Volckertsen. Defendant acknowledges that the boards were sold by her husband to the plaintiff and says that she has boards enough to satisfy both the plaintiff and Houloff Jansen, who afterward bought the said boards from her. Ordered by the director general and council that the first sale to the plaintiff shall take effect, the defendant being ordered to deliver the boards which Cornelis Volckersz sold and to deliver to Houloff Jansen the boards which she sold to him, unless the defendant's husband considers his wife incompetent in his absence to make any purchases or sales. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, on the day above written.

18th of October 1646

Adam Roelantsen, plaintiff, vs. Jan Jansen from Hoorn, defendant, about the purchase of a cask of anise water containing 9 ankers. Jan Jansen promises to deliver 3 ankers immediately and one half-aam when Seger Tonisz arrives.

Govert Aertsen, plaintiff, vs. Jan Jansen from Hoorn, defendant, about a claim of 32 cheeses. Ordered, if Govert can prove that the cheeses were taken by his mate from a barrel in the ship and put into a canoe and that they were discharged by Jan Jansen, that Jan Jansen shall pay for them or restore them.

Rights: This translation is provided for education and research purposes, courtesy of the  New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections, Mutual Cultural Heritage Project. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user. For additional information see our Copyright and Use Statement Source: New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809-78. Volume 4, page 273.