Document: Judgment for defendant in the case of Peter Jansen vs. The Sheriff of Gravesend

for the period of 25 years. Thus done at the session of the honorable director-general and high council held in New Amsterdam in New Netherland, 14 November 1654.

Pieter Jansz, plaintiff, against the schout of Gravesande, defendant; the plaintiff requests restitution and reimbursement for damages because the aforesaid schout removed a chest and a gun from his house in his absence. The defendant replies that the aforesaid Pieter Jansz, in his presence, agreed to settle a debt with Lubbert Gerritsz by paying the sum of f26, the value of which Pieter Jansz was to pay in grain. Whereas the aforesaid Pieter Jansz has neglected to settle in the agreed upon time, although warned to do so several times, the aforesaid goods (being qualified thereto) were seized and sold in public to the highest bidder, in order to derive the aforesaid sum of money therefrom.