Document: Opinion of surgeons of New Amsterdam on a post mortem examination of the body of Bruyn Barentsen

[several lines lost] [ ] Pieter Tonneman and [ the lords ] burgomasters of this city.

The chirurgijns of this city, to wit, Mr. Jacob Hendricksen Varrevanger, Mr. Hans Kiersteede, Mr. Jacob N., having appeared upon the summons, the lord general suggested to them and asked their advice, as to whether it would not be wise to open up the body of the deceased Bruijn Baarentsen, in order to see whether he received any deadly internal injuries as a result of the beating by Jacob Eeldersen.

Upon which the said chirurgijns unanimously replied that this was unnecessary, because it was already about six months ago now that Jacob Eeldersen beat the deceased Bruijn Baarentsz. Since which time, if the deceased would have gotten any such internal injuries, these would have already revealed themselves a long time ago in one way or another. They claimed unanimously that the deceased had not died from that. They also declared that sometime after the aforesaid Jacob had beaten him, the deceased sailed across the river and went to the villages of Breuckelen, Midwout, and thereabout and stayed there for a while.

Mr. Hans Kiersteede [several lines lost] said [ ] each other [ ] had thrown [ ] the heirs.

The director general and councilors, [ ] heard the answer and statements of the said chirurgijns, it is unanimously agreed and resolved to inter the body of the deceased Bruijn Baarentsz.

The aforesaid chirurgijns are ordered and seriously instructed that, after they put the first plaster on such or similar injuries, they notify the lord fiscal of it, which they accepted and with which they departed. Dated as above.

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 Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809. Volume 8.