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Having seen the complaint and conclusion of Ulrich Lupolt, fiscal, against Jochem Beeckman, soldier, charged with the manslaughter of Jacob Jeuriaensz from Dansick, soldier, who was wounded in Fort Amsterdam on [      ], and who died on the 27th of May, [ the court find ] that the defendant did wound Jacob Jeuriaensen, deceased, but that it appears from the testimony of Hans Kirstede, surgeon, that Jacob Jeuriaensen, deceased, did not die of his wounds, but through his own negligence and excesses, the more so as he did not heed the instructions of the said surgeon, as it appears further by the affidavits of Gillis Pietersen, master house carpenter, aged 27 years, Claes Jansen, tailor, aged 26 years, Arent from Landen, aged 22 years, and Jan Andriessen from Basenborch, aged 2k years, that two or three days after he had been wounded by Beeckman aforesaid he stood before the door in Fort Amsterdam making his water, having his cloak on, kindled a fire, made an omelet and then drank an entire pint of wine at one draft;

All of which aforesaid documents having been duly considered and [ the court ] having personally examined the witnesses and taken into consideration the law of God, Exodus 21, verse 19, the fiscal’s demand is denied and the aforesaid Jochem Beeckman is acquitted, being adjudged not guilty of the death of the said Jacob Jeuriaensen. Thus done and sentenced in council, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, this [      ], anno 1639.On the 23rd of June anno 1639.

Jan Pietersen, plaintiff, vs. Cornelis Jacobsz Stillen, defendant, for payment for some maize. Defendant admits the debt and is condemned to pay within 3 or 4 days.

Claes Cornelissen Swits, plaintiff, vs. Jacob Stoffelsen, defendant. Case adjourned until news is received from the fatherland.

On [      ]

The fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Jan Dondey and Claes, the cabin boy, of the yacht Westindise Raven, defendants. Plaintiff demands punishment of the defendants as they cut loose with a knife and took away the seawan which a squaw carried around her waist. The defendants admit the charge and are condemned as follows:

Claes, the cabin boy, to be whipped in the Fort at break of day and Jan Dondey, soldier, receiver of the stolen goods, to ride the wooden horse and moreover to forfeit two months' wages.

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.