On the 17th of March 1644
Piter Wyncoop, plaintiff, vs. the fiscal, defendant. Parties ordered to submit their complaints and answers in writing.
Andriaen Willemsen, plaintiff, vs. Andries, chief boatswain, defendant, alleging that the defendant said that the plaintiff informed the fiscal that there were dutiable goods in Mr. van Renselaer's ship. The chief boatswain says that Lubbert Jansen told him. Lubbert Jansen acknowledges in court that what he said at the tavern concerning the ship is not true, and that he has nothing to say of Andriaen Willemsen reflecting in any way on his honor and character, and that he is sorry for having said so, praying the plaintiff's forgiveness. Lubbert Jansen is condemned to pay the costs.
31st of March[1]
Whereas, the Indians, our enemies, daily commit much damage, both to men and cattle, and it is to be apprehended that all of the remaining cattle when it is driven out will be destroyed by them, and many Christians who daily might go out to look up the cattle will lose their lives; therefore, the director and council have resolved to construct a fence, palisade, or enclosure, beginning from the great bouwery to Emmanuel's plantation. Everyone who owns cattle and shall desire to have them pastured within this enclosure is notified to repair there with tools next Monday morning, being the 4th of April, at 7 o'clock, in order to assist in constructing the said fence and in default thereof he shall be deprived of pasturing his cattle within the said enclosure. Let everyone take notice hereof and communicate it to his neighbor. Thus done and posted on the day aforesaid.
[2] Whereas Mamarranack, Wapgaurin, chiefs of Kichtawanck, and Mongochkonnome, Pappennoharrow of Wiquaeskeck and Nochpeem, as well as the Wappincx have come to Stamfoort, asking Captain Onderhil to appeal to the governor of New Netherland for peace, promising now and forever to refrain from doing harm to either people, cattle, houses, or anything else within the territory of New Netherland; also, that they will not come on the island of Manhatans as long as we Netherlanders are at war with other heathen, except in a canoe before Fort Amsterdam; and whereas they likewise promise to do their best in looking up for us Pacham;
Therefore, we promise not to molest them if the aforesaid chiefs and their people strictly observe what is hereinbefore written and they may cultivate their lands in peace as far as we are concerned. In confirmation whereof some of their prisoners are restored to them. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 6th of April.
The 15th of April 1644
[3] Appeared in council Gauwarowe, sachem of Matinneconck. speaking in the name of the adjoining villages of Indians, to wit, Matinnekonck, Marospinc and Siketeuhacky, who requested permission to plant [ their land ] in peace in his and the aforesaid villages; which is granted them on condition that they shall not attempt to do us any harm and shall not suffer the Indians of Reckonhacky, the bays, and Marechkawieck to come among them and shall keep away from them. And the same shall be announced to their sachems on the flat at Mr. Fordam’s, so that in case they be attacked and killed among the said Indians or any of our enemies by the Dutch, we shall be guiltless thereof. Wherewith the chief Gauwarowe was very well satisfied and for confirmation hereof a present was given to him.
On the 10th of May 1644
Cornelis van[ der ] Hoykens, fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Tomas Bacxter, defendant, for escaping from his confinement and taking with him one, Mr. Roet, who had also been arrested. The fiscal demands that the defendant be condemned to pay the sum for which he had been arrested and in addition a fine. The defendant is condemned to haul a scow load of stone to the gate for the Company, out of which the fiscal shall be allowed 10 gl. by the aforesaid Company; also, to pay Philip, in the tavern, 16 gl. for Mr. Roet.
Cornelis Volckersz, plaintiff, vs. Adam Mat,[4] defendant, for payment of 4 schepels of rye for which he became surety. Parties are ordered to agree and defendant is condemned to pay the plaintiff.
