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Dutch colonial council minutes, 30 May - 6 June 1641

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Thursday, being the 30th of May 1641

Fredrick Jansen, plaintiff, vs. Claes Sybrantsen Veringh, defendant. Plaintiff demands payment of wages earned by him. The defendant acknowledges the debt and the receipt of his canoe. The defendant is condemned to satisfy the plaintiff.

Cornelio vender Hoykens, plaintiff, vs. Uldrich Lupholt, defendant. Plaintiff demands that satisfaction and compensation be given to the Company. Defendant is granted 8 days to make answer, without fail.

Cornelio van[ der ] Hoykens, plaintiff, vs. Cornelis Bartensz, defendant. Default.

On Thursday, being the 6th of June[1]

Whereas a considerable number of respectable Englishmen with their clergyman have applied for permission to settle here and to reside among us and request that some terms might be offered to them, we have therefore resolved to send to them the following terms:
1. They shall be bound to take the oath of allegiance to the honorable Lords the States General and the West India Company under whose protection they will reside.
2. They shall enjoy free exercise of religion.
3. In regard to political government, if they desire a magistrate, they shall have the privilege of nominating three or four persons from the fittest among them, from which persons so nominated the governor of New Netherland shall choose one, which magistrate shall be empowered in all civil actions to render final judgment not exceeding 40 guilders; above this amount an appeal may be made to the governor and council of New Nether land; and in criminal cases he shall have jurisdiction except in cases involving corporal punishment.
4. They shall not be at liberty to erect any strongholds without permission.
5. The land shall be granted to them in fee, free of charge, and they shall have the use thereof for ten years without paying any dues and at the expiration of the said ten years be obliged to pay tithes.
6. They shall enjoy free hunting and fishing and freedom of trade according to the charter of New Netherland.
7. They shall be bound to make use of the weights and measures of this country.

Notes

Revised from Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, p. 27-28, and Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, 13:8.

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.