Research

Translation

Declaration of Arent Corssen and Jacob Egbertsen that they never heard Laurens Cornelissen speak disrespectfully of Director Kieft

Series:
Scanned Document:

We, the under[ signed ] Arent [ C ]or[ ssen ][  of ] Amsterdam and Jacob Egbertsz [ of ] [      ] [1], pilot of the ship De Maec[ ht van ] Enckhuysen, attest, testify and declare, in place and with promise of a solemn oath if n[ eed ] be and required, that they, the deponents, neither in Holland, nor during the voyage from Holland to New Netherland on board the ship De Maecht van Enckhuysen, nor elsewhere on shore, ever heard Laurens Cornelisz, skipper of the aforesaid ship, speak disparagingly of Mr. Willem Kieft, at present director of New Netherland, in regard to any trading, or riding in and out[2] which was done or carried on by the above mentioned director at Rochelle in France. Also, that they have not heard Laurens Cornelisz on board the said ship say the least thing prejudicial to the director in regard to other matters. All of which they, the deponents, offer if necessary and requested to confirm under oath, declaring that they do this only to bear witness of the truth, which every one is bound to do, especially when requested to do so, without fear or favor. Done the 7th of July A°. 1644, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Arent Corssen
Jacop Egbertsen
Cornelis van Tienh.

Notes

Manuscript destroyed.
Apparently having reference to smuggling, or robbery.

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.