Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 8-15 September 1644

September 8, 1644

Piere Pia, plaintiff, vs. Piere Montfoort, defendant, for 60 lb. of tobacco for a gun. Plaintiff demands payment, or restitution of the gun. Ordered that defendant satisfy the plaintiff.

Cornelis Pitersz and Laurens Andrissz declare that last Sunday they saw a Negro come with bow and arrow; also, that they understood from a Negro woman that a man had been killed by the Indians near Tomas Hal's house.

September 10

Jan Bridges and partners, plaintiffs, vs. Davit Abrahamsz Sprinchaen,[1] defendant. Plaintiffs say that they sold to the defendant their half-share in the bark.

The case is adjourned until the arrival of Claes de Ruyter and Jan Pitersz, who were present at the sale and plaintiffs are allowed to take their goods ashore.

September 15

Everardus Bogardus, minister, appearing for Tryn Jonas, plaintiff, vs. Jacob Roy, defendant, regarding a dispute about a small piece of ground situated between [ the lots of ] Tryn Jonas and Roy. Ordered that the place shall be inspected by the honorable director and council at two o'clock in the afternoon.

Willem de Key, plaintiff, vs. Hendrick Kip's wife, defendant. Ordered that the defendant be furnished with copies of the complaint and the affidavits.

Philip Gerritsz, plaintiff, vs. Jan Bridges and partners, defendants. Plaintiff demands fl. 25:5, for which their property was attached and which they paid to Samuel Schandelaer,[2] notwithstanding the attachment.

The defendant produces testimony that he paid on the 7th of this month, which according to his statement was before the attachment.

Ordered that the defendant prove that he paid before the attachment.

Cornelio vander Hoykens, fiscal, vs. Jan Sytjes, defendant, for drawing a knife.

Whereas the fiscal proves that the defendant drew a knife, he is condemned to pay the fine according to the ordinance.