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Declaration of Isbrant Claessen and others respecting the firing on Govert Loockemans’s sloop when passing Beeren Island

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Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Isbrant Claesen, aged 44 years, Lubbert Jansen, aged 43 years, and Jan Tomasz, aged about 40 years, who jointly and severally, at the request of Nicolaes Coorn, officer in Renselaerswyck, attest, testify and declare, in place and with promise of an oath if necessary, that it is true that some time ago Govert Loockmans came sailing from above near Eeren island, when Nicolaes Coorn had a blank shot fired as a warning. Govert sailing on, Nicolaes Coorn above mentioned hailed and said, Strike! To which Govert made answer: "For whom shall I strike?" Nicolaes Coorn said: "For the right of Renselaerswyck." Govert spoke: "I strike for no man but the prince and the lords whom I serve." Then the requirant[1] let fly a shot behind the bark. Govert Loockmans cried: "Fire, you dogs; may the Devil take you!" Then Officer Coorn fired a shot which passed through the sail. All of which they, the deponents, offer to confirm. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 7th of October 1644.

Isebrant Clasen
Lubbert Jansz
I T

Notes

Meaning Coorn, the defendant in a suit for damages, at whose request the declaration was made.
Also printed in Doc. Bel. Col. Hist. N.Y., 14:58.

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.