Document: Order denying a motion of the fiscal for the confiscation of a parcel of beaver belonging to Gelyn Verplanck

[several lines lost] in Smits [ valley ] [ ] to be declared [ ] dated 23 [ April. ]

The defendant says that the beavers were brought there by the [ skipper ] without his knowledge; also, that he had been away from here to Fort Orange before 23 April, and that therefore he had no knowledge of the ordinance.

The director general and councilors, having heard the parties and having paid attention to everything relevant in the matter, deny the plaintiff’s demand because the defendant proves that he had departed from this city before the publication of the order, and that since then he has not been here again. Dated as above.