Document: Petition of Tryntie Cornelis, accused of adultery, for examination and to be confronted with her accusers

Copy.

To the highly esteemed, honorable lord director general and the lords councilors of New Netherland.

Trijntje Cornelis now makes known in all humility how she, the petitioner, was accused and by malicious slander reported that she, petitioner, had committed incest and adultery, upon which accusation she, petitioner, requested to be allowed to appear before your esteemed honors in order to be examined concerning this by sworn [several lines lost] Therefore, she [ ] her person [ ] reverently that besides [ ] by your esteemed honors’ command may [ ] summoned her, the petitioner’s, accuser in order to be justly examined and interrogated, so that for once the truth may be discovered and her, petitioner’s, innocence may be demonstrated in this matter; which doing I remain (written below) your humble servant. Was signed

Upon the above [ the person ] is ordered to appear personally on Thursday at the next session of the director general and councilors. 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.