Document: Suit by David Wessels against John Paul Jacquet for damages

To the right honorable lords, the director general and councilors of New Netherland.

Copy.

David Wessels, pltff. contra

Jean Paul Jacquet, former commissary on the South River, def.

At the side was written: This to be confirmed by the signatures of the parties for response thereon, the 26th of June 1657. Done at Fortress Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 26th of June 1657.

Below was written: By order of the lords director general and councilors of New Netherland. C. V. Ruyven, secretary. Acknowledged, Mattheys de Vos, notary public.

The plaintiff asks satisfaction and indemnification for damages and loss sustained by the tearing down of his house near Fort Casimir on the South River by the defendant, commissary Jean Paul Jacquet, who used the wood of the aforesaid house and made a barn with it near his house, and as plaintiff maintains that wrong has been done to him by tearing down his house in his absence and it is not conformable to the rules of law that anybody's property can be touched, taken and used for one's own benefit and use. Therefore he has come to the conclusion that the defendant must build the aforesaid house at his expense upon the lot on the South River and replace it in such condition, as it was in at the time of tearing it down, according to the opinion of impartial men, or that the defendant pay to the plaintiff such a sum of money, as shall be adjudged by impartial men to be the cost of such a building, as the one torn down by the defendant or as your Noble Worships shall decide the case, asking in case of opposition for costs. I remain,

Your Honorable Worships very humble subject and servant

Below was written:

David Wessels.

Acknowledged:

Mattheus de Vos, Notary Public. 1657