Document: Proceedings in the case of Eldert Bruinsen vs. Nicolaes Lange

Eldert Bruynsen, soldier, plaintiff, against Nicolaes Lange, sergeant, defendant; the plaintiff says that the defendant abused him by saying that he was a scoundrel to leave his wife. He requests proof thereof, or otherwise that he admit to having spared the truth.

The defendant replies that rations were being given out in the warehouse, which a soldier said were stinking; whereupon he answered: “Don’t your sisters stink?” And that the plaintiff then said: “What are you talking about, slanderer?” Whereupon the defendant said: “I say that you are a scoundrel, if you don’t prove that I am a slanderer.”

The director general and councilors, having heard the parties, order the fiscal, in the presence of Captain Nuton and Vendrich, to inform himself about this dispute, and to notify the military council about it. Ady ut supra.

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 6.