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On Thursday,^[1] being the 1st of November 1641 Cornelio van [ der ] Hoykens, plaintiff, vs. Lambert Cool, defendant, upon complaint of Altjen Brackonge, alleging that the defendant beat her in her house. Clara Tysens, wife of Gerrit Jansen, aged 31 years, declares at the request of Altjen Brackoengie that Lambert said that he had received no powder, saying Altjen lied; whereupon she beat him on his back and Cool took up a branding iron and dealt her a blow on the arm and first pulled Aeltjen's hair; which she offers to confirm on oath.

Articles submitted by the honorable director and council of New Netherland to the heads of families or householders residing here under the jurisdiction of the honorable West India Company

1. Whether it is not just to punish the barbarous murder of Claes Swits committed by an Indian and, in case the Indians refuse to surrender the murderer at our request, whether it is not justifiable to ruin the entire village to which he belongs?

2. In what manner the same ought to be put into effect and at what time?

3. By whom it may be undertaken?

Answers of the 12 selectmen chosen by the entire community to consider the aforesaid questions

In regard to the first, they find that by all means the murderer according to the proposition of the honorable director should be punished, but that it is advisable to have regard to God and the circumstances and meanwhile to provide ourselves with everything that is necessary, especially, that 200 coats of mail be procured by the director from the North, both for the soldiers and freemen, who are willing to pay for part of them themselves.

As regards the second article, that meanwhile friendly intercourse, yes, even as far as the maize trade, be maintained, until the opportunity presents itself and the will of God be made manifest. Also, that meanwhile no one, of whatever condition he may be, shall commit, either on water or on land, any hostility against any Indians, with the exception of the murderer, and that meanwhile everyone be on his guard. Likewise, when the Indians are hunting, that we shall divide ourselves into two parties, to wit, one on land near the Clepela and the other party at Qiquaeskeck, In order to surprise them on both sides, and that the honorable director shall employ thereto as many Negroes from among the strongest and fleetest as he can conveniently spare, and provide them each with a hatchet and a half-pike.

As to the third article, whereas we acknowledge no other commander than the director, who is our as well as the soldiers' chief, therefore, in order to prevent all disorder, [ we find it advisable that ] the honorable director shall personally lead this expedition, for which we offer ourselves to be of personal service to him.

We also deem it advisable that two or three times more a sloop be sent by the honorable director to make a friendly request without threats, for the surrender of the murderer, in order to execute him, and thus to mislead the savages.

Whereupon the following persons have sworn to keep this their advice secret: Jaques Bentyn, Maryn Adriaensz, Jan Damen, Hendrick Jansen, Davit Pietersz de Vries, Jacob Stoffelsz,

Abraham the miller, Fredric Lubbersz, Jochim Pietersz, Gerrit Dircksz, G[ e ]orge Rapalje, Abraham Plane; so verily may God help them.

Willem Kieft, director general, and the council of New Netherland have summoned the 12 men delegated by the community to give advice on the matters to be proposed to them and to put into execution the advice lately given by them if it be thought advisable, as the time and opportunity now present themselves to surprise the Indians on the hunt.

Mr. Jo[ c ]hum says that it will be best to have patience and to lull the Indians to sleep.

Jaques Bentyn says that it will be best to kill the Indians so as to fill them with fear.

Jan Eversen says that he does not think it advisable to undertake anything against the savages but to lull them to sleep so as to avoid suspicion.

Jacob Stoffelsen says that it will be best to wait for a ship to come from the fatherland.

G[ e ]orge Rapalje, Gerrit Dircksz, Hendrick the tailor agree with the above opinion.

Abraham Pietersz says that he thinks it advisable to begin war and to exterminate the savages if possible.

Fredrick Lubbersen says that the war cannot be carried out successfully as the undertaking against the Raretangs came to a standstill.

Jacob Waltingen says that he is ready to do whatever the director and council may order and think advisable.

Hereupon it is resolved in council by the honorable director and councilors to watch for the proper time and opportunity, it being understood that the barbarous murder must be revenged for the sake and security of our lives and cattle; and if anything be undertaken by us, everyone will be notified as promptly as possible in order then carefully to consider the matter.

Notes

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.