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Extraordinary Session Held in Fort Orange
May 1, 1660

Present:

La Montagne
Francois Boon
Anderies Herpertsen
Sander Leendersen
Jan Verbeeck

In the place of the retiring magistrates, namely Pieter Hartgers and Francois Boon, ordinary magistrates, and Dirck Jansen Croon, extraordinary magistrate, according to the resolution of the honorable director general and council of New Netherland, Rutger Jacobsen, Frans Baerentsen, and Evert Jansen Wendel have been chosen and confirmed as magistrates from the double number nominated, who, having been summoned by the court, have undertaken the oath of fidelity as follows:

We, the undersigned, chosen magistrates of the bench of justice of Fort Orange and the village of Beverwijck, promise and swear in the presence of God Almighty that with the help of our colleagues we shall administer true law and justice between man and man and further execute and promote all matters touching justice and government, to the best of our knowledge and ability. Also, that we shall in every way conduct ourselves loyally and faithfully toward the lords states general of the United Netherlands, the lords directors of the Chartered West India Company and the director general and council of New Netherland, promising furthermore that we shall help to maintain here the Reformed Religion according to God’s Word and the regulations of the Synod of Dordrecht, and not tolerate publicly any sects. So truly may God Almighty help us.

After having been congratulated, the aforesaid Rutger Jacobsen, Frans Baerentsen Pastoor, and Evert Jansen Wendel have this day taken their seats.

The retiring magistrates are discharged from their oaths and thanked for their good services while holding office, with the promise that with respect to their honorarium of ƒ450 a year they will at the opportune time and when the treasury is well provided receive consideration and be paid the same as the present and future magistrates.

After deliberation it is resolved and decided that the annually retiring magistrates for the space of one year after their discharge shall be exempt from the ordinary duties of the burgher guard. Nevertheless, if need be, they shall, when commanded to do so, be held to perform all extraordinary round and guard duties the same as other burghers, pursuant to the resolution taken and confirmed by the honorable director general and council of New Netherland.

References

Translation: Gehring, C., trans./ed., New Netherland Documents Series: Vol. 16, part 2, Fort Orange Court Minutes, 1652-1660 (Syracuse: Syracuse University Press: 1990).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.