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Deposition of Samuel Chandler as to what he heard Hendrick Jansen, the tailor, say about Director Kieft

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Samuel Chandelaer, aged 33 [ years, testifies ] and declares at the request of the fiscal that it is true and truthful that on the 20th of March anno 1643 he heard Hendric, the tailor, say at his house: “People ought to send the Kivit [1] (meaning thereby the director) to Holland in the ship De Pauw and give him a letter of recommendation to Master Gerrit, whom he would willingly send a pound Flemish in order that he should let him die like a nobleman.[2] All of which the deponent declares to be true and truthful, declaring that he had done this to bear witness of the truth, which every one is bound to do, especially when requested so to do. Done the 6th of May 1643, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Samuel Chandelaer
Cornelis van Tienhoven
The Dutch name for the bird known in English as the pewit. It is used as a play on the director’s name in connection with the name of the ship, which means The Peacock.
Meaning that Hendrick Jansen was willing to give a pound Flemish to have Kieft beheaded, instead of having him put to death by hanging, like common people. Master Gerrit was the public executioner, or “Jack Ketch,” of Holland.

References

Translation: Scott, K., & Stryker-Rodda, K. (Ed.). New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. 2, Register of the Provincial Secretary, 1642-1647 (A. Van Laer, Trans.). Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1974.A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.