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Dutch colonial council minutes, 14 October 1638

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On the l4th of October, being Thursday

Ulrich Lupoldt, fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Anthony Jansen ] from Zalee, as husband and guardian of his wife, Grietjen Reyniers, for slandering the minister, Bogardus.

Parties being heard and the documents having been carefully examined, Griet Reyniers is condemned to appear next Saturday, being the l6th instant, in Fort Amsterdam, in order then at the ringing of the bell to make public acknowledgment that the minister is an honorable and honest man and that she has lied falsely; furthermore she is condemned to pay the costs of the trial and fl. 3 to the poor.

Anthony Jansen from Salee is hereby forbidden to carry any arms, whatever they may be called, on this side of the Fresh water, with the exception of a knife and an axe; also, he shall refrain from giving the least offense to Domine Bogardus either by word or deed, on pain of corporal punishment, and he is further condemned to pay a fine of fl. 12 for the benefit of the fiscal.

Tobias Tonisen and Willem Fredricksen, plaintiffs, vs. Johan La Montaenje, defendant.

The plaintiffs ask to be released from their contract of service, maintaining that they are not bound to serve the defendant, as they were hired by his uncle and not by the defendant.

The defendant produces the contracts made between the plaintiffs and Geraert de Foreest from which it appears clearly that the plaintiffs are bound to serve the said de Foreest or his agents for three consecutive years after their arrival here in New Netherland; furthermore, the defendant shows a power of attorney and authorization from the aforesaid de Foreest to employ the plaintiffs in his service at the expiration of their term of service. All of this having been duly considered, the plaintiffs are condemned to serve out their bounden time without any gainsay with La Montaenje, who also promises at the expiration of their bounded time to tender and pay them here in New Netherland the wages which shall then be due to them.

References

Translation: Scott, K., & Stryker-Rodda, K. (Ed.). New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. 4, Council Minutes, 1638-1649 (A. Van Laer, Trans.). Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1974.A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.