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Resolution ordering the fiscal to forbid certain Englishmen settling at Vreedlandt (Westchester county)

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there to be hanged until dead. The prisoner replies, "I am at the mercy of you gentlemen who may do as you please. I prefer to be hanged than be further injured, because I have to earn my living with my hands."[221] Furthermore, he confesses to have committed that which the fiscal has accused him with; however, he says that the Swedish factor, Hendrick van Elswyck, attacked him first and kicked him so that he fell down next to the fire.

The director-general and council grant the prisoner 24 hours to bring in anything which might be used to spare him. Done at New Amsterdam, 5 November 1654; present: the honorable Director General Petrus Stuyvesant, Mr. Nicasius de Sille, Mr. Montangne, Cor. van Thienhooven.

At the session it has been resolved: whereas some English begin to settle and establish villages

Notes

Possible reference to the prisoner's hands being misused during torture.

References

Translation: Gehring, C., trans./ed., New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. 5, Council Minutes, 1652-1654 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1983).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.