Translation
Dutch colonial council minutes, 9 - 16 January 1642
On the 9th of January anno 1642
Cornelio vander Hoykens, plaintiff, vs. Gerrit Gerritsen and Dirck Holgersz, defendants. Case put over in order to have the depositions sworn to.
Philip Gerritsen, plaintiff, vs. Tonis Cray and Gerreken Hessels, defendants. Plaintiff demands that the defendants fulfil the contract made with them for the delivery of fire wood. Defendants acknowledge the justice of the claim and are therefore condemned to fulfil the contract or in default thereof the plaintiff shall be at liberty to purchase wood at their expense.
Jochim Kirsteede, plaintiff, vs. Pieter Pia, defendant, for slander. Plaintiff demands proof of the slander or reparation. Defendant declares in court that he has nothing to say about the plaintiff but what is to his honor and credit. Defendant is condemned to pay the costs of the trial.
Hans Rodewick, plaintiff, vs. Andries, the chief boatswain, defendant. The plaintiff demands the return of a certain canoe which the defendant is alleged to have detached and to have set adrift. Case adjourned until the owner of the canoe shall have arrived here.
Cornelis Willemsz, plaintiff, vs. Maryn Adriaensz, defendant. First default.
Dirck Corsen, plaintiff, vs. Andries Hudden, defendant. First default. The plaintiff demands and requests that the defendant prove what he promised on the 2d of January to prove within 24 hours, to wit, that his claim was just; the more so as the plaintiff intends and expects to leave for Virginia and should not like to suffer loss in this matter through delays and postponements on the part of the defendant who even this day has caused default to be taken against him, thus seeking excuses. The plaintiff also requests that as the defendant has produced no proof according to his promise, that he be permitted to proceed on his intended boyage at the first opportunity without molestation. The request of Dirck Corsz being taken into consideration, the said Dirck Corsen is granted permission to depart at the first opportunity if Andries Hudden does not proceed with his case.
On the 16th of January 1641
Cornelio vander Hoykens, fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Jan Tomasz and Philip Geraerdy, defendants, for having contrary to the ordinance sold beer 2 stivers higher per gallon than is required. Parties ordered to agree with each other.
Gerrit Jansen, plaintiff, vs. Cornelio van[ der ] Hoykens, fiscal, defendant. Plaintiff demands proof of the charges ex-officio brought against him by the defendant. Defendant proves by two witnesses that Donminge called the plaintiff a wood thief. Plaintiff has sworn before the honorable director and council of New Netherland that he is not guilty of the theft of the wood. The fiscal's demand is therefore denied and the plaintiff acquitted. What was done by the fiscal was done ex-officio.
Cornelio ven[ der ] Hoykens, fiscal, plaintiff, vs. Gerrit Gerritsen and Dirck Hollegersz defendants. Dirck Volkersz declares under oath in court that he bought rope from Gerrit in good faith and did not know but that it was his own. Gerrit and other sailors on the yacht Real are ordered to appear next Thursday to draw lots as to who of them shall be punished or meanwhile to satisfy the fiscal.