Document: Letter from director-general to the council

Without mentioning the various misbehaviors of the fiscal, van Dyck, of which he has made himself guilty by connivance, negligence and, in general, failing to do his duty, he has now had the audacity to insult, slander and chide us and the honorable council repeatedly, as his own confession and the evidence of trustworthy witnesses proves, especially his own petitions of 4 July 1647 and September 1651, as of the council's petition dated 1648. All of this we have suffered patiently and overlooked upon his promise of better behavior. Nevertheless, he has again seen fit to insult, slander and chide [ ] on the 6th of this month at the house of Captain Francoys Vyn, in the presence of him, his wife, the dry nurse and Andries Christman, calling [ ] a scoundrel, murderer and tyrant [ ] and other such names. Because we have a different opinion of ourselves and because up till now we have never been so considered by respectable people, or much less having anyone be persuaded to believe such; however, because such insults and slanders have been repeatedly uttered behind our backs and in our presence, we cannot endure it any longer without causing our good names and reputation to be suspected. We are therefore compelled for the sake of the Company's, our subjects', and our own honor to suspend the aforesaid fiscal, Hendrick van Dye, from his office and duties until further orders are received from the lords directors, and in the meantime communicate this to your honors for approval or defense of the fiscal, as your honors may see fit for our honor and public welfare. Done in New Amsterdam, 27 March 1652.