Document: Appeal of William Douckles of a judgment of the court of New Amsterdam in favor of Jan Hendricks

Petrus Stuyvesant, on behalf of their honorable High Mightinesses, the lords States General of the United Netherlands, and the honorable lords directors of the chartered West India Company, chamber at Amsterdam, director general of N. Netherland, Curaao, Bonaire, Aruba and dependencies thereof, together with the honorable lords councilors, have summoned hereto the court messenger, Claes van Elslant de Jonge, greetings.

Whereas Willem Doukles has remonstrated to us by petition that he finds himself greatly injured by the judgment handed down by the burgomasters and schepenen of this city dated 15 June last past, between him and Jan Hendricks Glaesemaecker,[1] because he was condemned by the aforesaid judgment to pay the plaintiff, Jan Hendricx, notwithstanding he requested a copy of the demand in order to respond to it in writing on the next court day. This was denied him therefore he has not answered in his defense (so he says). For this our assistance is requested.[2]

Therefore, we order you to summon the aforesaid Jan Hendricx to appear here before us in Fort Amsterdam next Tuesday, being the 9th of July, or to send a deputy, to respond to any demands and rejoinders that the aforesaid Willem Doukles shall make or effect against him inviting those of the aforesaid court to appear or to send deputies on the date stated above (if it please them) in order to see us annul or confirm the aforesaid judgment; providing copies for use of the parties, and relating to us what you encounter.

Done at Fort Amsterdam in N. Netherland the 2nd of July 1658,>

P. Stuyvesant