Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 21-23 March 1645

March 21

Abraham Pitersen, miller, plaintiff, vs. Sybolt Clasen, defendant. Defendant and his wife declare that they know nothing of the plaintiff but what is honest and honorable.

Mary de Truy, plaintiff, vs. Cornelis Teunesen, defendant, because the defendant threatened the plaintiff with a hatchet and refused to pay for an adze which he received from her.

Ordered that the defendant pay for the adze. As to the other matter, they must produce affidavits about it.

Arent Steffenters, plaintiff, vs. Jan Snediger, defendant. Plaintiff demands fl. 15, which the defendant promised him for a blow. The defendant acknowledges that referees ordered that he was to pay fl. 15, whereupon he is condemned to pay.

George Homs, plaintiff, vs. Charles Morgen, defendant, for damages for physical injury. The case is referred to Captain Ondril,[1] Lieutenant Bacxter and Captain de Vries.

The honorable Director Willem Kieft, attorney for Messrs. Abraham de Visser and Elias de Raet, plaintiffs, vs. Evert Cornelisz. Whereas Evert Cornelisz has declared in court under oath that according to the answer he rendered a true and correct account to his brother Lourens Cornelisz, he is therefore discharged, provided that the aforesaid gentlemen retain the right to recover the amount from his brother Lourens Cornelisz.

Ordered that Piter van[ den ] Berch shall have his answer ready within eight days from this date.

March 23

The honorable Director Willem Kieft with the approval of the council sent to the Reverend Bogardus an admonition in writing, dated March 23, which he would not receive, either open or closed, and the said document is again sent by the court messenger.[2]

The fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Piter van[ den ] Bergh and Willem de Key, defendants. Defendants answer in writing to the complaint of the fiscal, who takes time till next session to reply.