Document: Petition of Hans Vos for the discharge of himself and wife from prison

[several lines lost] [ Hans Vos ], former inhabitant of [ the village of Beverwijck ], shows with respectful regard how he, petitioner, [ was in prison ] for a matter [ ] him, namely, that he had sold brandy to the wilden, without someone making any claim [ against him ] about that before your honors until now. During this time, which is the best part of summer, the petitioner and his wife could have earned seven guilders a day in farming by mowing and binding, while now, in contrast, all their miserable possessions are ruined and they have nothing to live on. And in addition, they still have various debts, so that the petitioner will be reduced to extreme poverty unless he is released by your honors in order to still be able to earn a penny toward the coming winter, which is almost here, so that he won’t be forced to go begging with his wife and children. Your honors please consider that if his accusers would have been able to produce any fundamental evidence, he[i] would have done so during all that long time, but not having done this, he presupposes that the complaint was made more out of resentment than what was truthful. Therefore, he respectfully requests that your honors please release the petitioner and his wife from detention; he is willing to answer to his parties before your honors at all times. (Lower stood) Your honors’ servant (and was signed) with the mark

At his request the petitioner is allowed to leave detention, provided that upon the fiscal’s summons he will come back in, which he shall promise by handshake.

Dated as above.