Document: Testimony in action for damages against Nicolaes Coorn for firing on Loockerman's vessel when passing Beeren island

At the request of Govert Loockemans [ appeared ] the witnesses hereinafter named, to wit, Cors Pitersz, aged thirty-three years, Harman Arentsz of Bremen, aged 38 years, Cornelis Mauritsz Bout, aged 27 years, Willem Pitersz, aged 20 years, Johannes Verbrugge, aged about 20 years, Harman Douwesz, aged 26 years, Harman Bastiaensz, aged 25 years, Jacob Jansen, aged 23 years, and Elbert Elbersz, aged 24 years, who jointly and severally attest, testify and declare, in place and with promise of a solemn oath if need be, that it is true and truthful that Govert Loookmans in company with the deponents sailed from Fort Orange in the yacht De Goede Hoope. Passing by Beeren Island, where Nicolaes Coorn keeps his residence in the name of the patroon Renselaer, the above named Nicolaes Coorn called to Govert Loockman as he sailed along: "Strike!" Who answered: "For whom shall I strike?" Coorn thereto replied: "For the stapleright of Renselaerswyc." To which the above mentioned Govert Loockmans answered: "I strike for no man save the Prince of Orange and those to whom I am subject." Whereupon Nicolaes Coorn immediately fired a canon. The first shot went through the mainsail and cut one of the shrouds, a halyard and a seizing; the second shot with ball missed; the third shot, fired by an Indian from a gun loaded with ball, passed through the prince's flag, about a foot above the head of the above mentioned Loockmans who was holding the flag in his hand. Notwithstanding all this Loockmans sailed down and pursued his voyage without firing back or using any other force. All of which we, the undersigned deponents, declare to have thus happened in fact and to be true, offering to confirm this by oath; also, that this is done by us in order to bear testimony to the truth, without fear or favor, personal hatred or benefit to any one. Done on board the yacht De Goede Hoope, lying in the roadsted in front of Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 5th of July 1644.

Cors Pitersz
Harman Arentsz
Cornells Mauritsz Bout
Harmen Douuesz
Harmen Bastiaens
Jacop Jans
Jan Verbrughen
Elbert Elbertsen
Willem Pieterse de Groodt
Cornelis van Tienhoven