Document: Examination of a slave and Jochem Wessels Backer on a charge of stealing powder

By order the lord La Montagne, brought down from Fort Orange the honorable Company’s Negro and Jochem Wessels Backer who were summoned to and appeared at the session. The Negro was questioned in the presence of Jochem de backer.

Whether he has stolen any gunpowder from the lord Montagne’s attic? To the 1st he answered, yes;

Where did he bring it?

To the 2nd he answered, once to have given it to Jochem de backer, and once to his wife, each time in a small bag about a foot in size;

Why did he do it?

To the 3rd he answered, Jochem suggested he do it and he gave him the small bag;

All of which Jochem, being present, denies, whereupon he is asked:

What business he had with the Negro when he was standing by the post[i] and spoke with him in a foreign language?

He answered, he went over to him together with others and simply asked, “what are you doing here?”

[several lines lost] The director general and councilors order that de backer be placed in confinement and the Negro be put in the corps du garde. Dated 8 May 1657.