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Egbert van Borsum, being heard in council, declares and acknowledges that in the year 1647, at New Haven, to the north, he bought and received from the chief boatswain of the Klinckert ^[1] and the cook of the ship Beninjo 50 guns at fl. 26 each, and that at the time there were still nine cases with guns in the hold of the said Beninjo: also, that no one in the world was associated with him, except Abraham Willemsz, at that time a sailor. He also says that he bought from the same four kegs of powder at one guilders, and three kegs of shot of 50 lb. each at 12 stivers a pound. Thus done in the presence of the honorable general, Mr. Dincklagen, Mr. La Montagne, Briant Nuton, Paulus Leendersz and Adriaen d'Keyser, the 1st of August anno 1648.

^[2]Whereas Fort Orange, situated on the North river of New Netherland, near the colony of Renselaerswyck, last winter was almost entirely washed away by the high water and is highly in need of being repaired for the maintenance of the honorable Company's limits and jurisdiction; and whereas the present condition both of the honorable Company and ourselves here does not permit us to make the required repairs, much less to complete them. Therefore the honorable director general and council for reasons and considerations aforesaid, have resolved and concluded, that it would be most advantageous and least expensive for the said Company to permit some respectable inhabitants of New Netherland to build at their own expense houses in said Fort, against the wall, run up with stone 12 feet high, especially as the Hon. Mr. Kleft, the late director, and the council had long ago permitted some to do the same thing. It is also resolved that the ground shall at all times remain the property of the Company, and that those who will build in the fort, shall not own more than the buildings, or be able to sell more than the same, whereunto the Company shall enjoy the preemption right.

Thus done and resolved in Council in Fort Amsterdam in NewNetherland, the 11th of August A°. 164-8. Present: The Hon. Director General, Mr. Dincklage, La Montague, Brian Nuton, Paulus Leendersen and Adriaen Keyser.

Fiscal van Dyck is ordered to place in confinement the persons of Hendrick the tailor and Albert the carpenter and in the meantime to inform himself more fully regarding the complaint made by the officer of the burgher guard and then to institute his action against them in proper form. The 10th of August anno 1648.The papers and information against Johannes Roodenborch being read and examined and the council having heard all the persons who persist in their first testimony, the fiscal is ordered to institute his suit against Johannes Roodenborch, who has again appeared without being summoned, and furthermore to inform himself of all particulars, to which end he will be assisted by Lieutenant Brian Nuton and Marten Cregier, lieutenant of the burgher company. This 10th of August anno 1648.

Having seen the written complaint of the fiscal against Egbert van Borsum and Abraham Willemsz on account of the purchase of contraband goods effected at New Haven on board the ship St. Beninjo. of which Cornelis Clasen Snoy was master, and whereas thus far it does not appear to us that the guns were sold by them to the Indians or savages, the fiscal is authorized to inquire further what has become of the guns and to whom they were sold and who were their confederates, especially as some officers of the Company are said to be involved. Therefore, the first purchasers of the said contraband goods are commanded to make at the request of the fiscal a full and true declaration to whom they sold the said contraband goods; and in case they refuse, then the promised impunity which the director and council gave in order to obtain further information and intelligence shall be null and void and they shall be considered as having sold them to the Indians, etc. Thus done in council. Present: the honorable general, Mr. Dincklaghen, Mr. La Montagne, Brian Nuton, Paulus Leendersz and Adriaen Keyser, the 15th of August anno 1648, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

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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.