Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 2 December 1638

On Thursday, being the 2nd of December anno [ 16 ]38

He has rolled a piece of cloth of the Company in a bearskin and stolen it from the Company. The defendant has not been ashamed to command his soldiers to keep out of the way of the commander when they perceived that he intended to give them some order. Moreover, when the soldiers had to his knowledge stolen turnips, chickens and tobacco pipes and other property, he has had his share thereof; all of which are matters which ought not to be tolerated in countries where right and justice is maintained.

All that is hereinbefore written being duly weighed and considered and everything having been clearly proved by the testimony of all the soldiers and the deposition of Mr. Jacobus van Curler and the same being considered matters of serious consequence which can not be tolerated, we therefore, administering justice, depose sergeant from his office, as we do hereby, commanding him to serve the Company as a private soldier until such time as he shall have completed his term of service with the Company.

Ulrich Lupoldt, fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Hans Schipper, Jochem Beeckman and Jacob Swardt, soldiers, defendants, accused of theft. The plaintiff charges the defendants with theft of chickens, turnips and tobacco pipes and asks that the honorable director and council may be pleased to provide therein, in order that the inhabitants of New Netherland shall no longer lose their property through such persons.

Whereas the [ crimes ] aforementioned are prejudicial to the community and the same are duly proved by the confessions of Hans Schipper and Jochem Beeckman, the same are condemned to ride two hours on the wooden horse.