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Court minutes

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Scanned Document:
The Fiscal, Pltff., 
against  
Assur Levy, Deft

Pltff. alleges that the Deft. hath, contrary to the Proclamation of the 12th December last, received a letter from New England; concludes that the Deft. shall be condemned in a penalty according to the Proclamation.
Deft. says, he was not at home when the letter was brought to his house, and that his wife received it unwittingly, but did not read it.
The Governor-General and Council having heard the Deft's excuse and read the letter, have let him off for this time, and dismiss the Pltff's complaint.

The Fiscal, Pltff., 
against  
Thomas Fleet, Deft

Pltff. alleges that the Deft. did, contrary to the published proclamations of this Province, trade with the neighboring Colonies of New England, and brought a letter from there, &c.
Deft. says and proves that it was done before the publication of the proclamation, &c.
The Governor-General and Council having heard parties, dismiss the Plaintiff's complaint.

The Fiscal, Pltff.,  
Against  
Walter Webley, Deft

The Pltff. alleges that the Deft. hath been contrary to the Proclamation of the 12th December last, in the enemy's country and brought letters thence hither; concludes therefore that the Deft. shall be condemned in the fine according to the placard, &c
Deft. answers, that he hath pursuant to the Proclamation, delivered the letters into the Secretary's office and says, he hath had before this a pass to go in search of his uncle Morris, which he claims he can again do, on said pass, &c.
The Governor-General and Council having heard the Fiscal's demand and Deft.'s excuse condemn the Deft. for the reasons aforesaid, in a fine of eight Beavers, with costs.

Note.—'Tis ordered that the above Beavers shall be applied one-half to the Fiscal and the other half to the Church.

Pltff. alleges that the Deft. hath, contrary to the Proclamation of the 31st October, sold rum for clothes to Jan Pietersen, boatswain's mate of the snow, &c.
Deft. answers and proves, that it was before the publication of the Proclamation.
The Governor-General and Council having heard the arguments of parties, dismiss the Pltff.'s demand and conclusion, and order Deft. to restore the purchased property for the same price he hath bought it.
This day Jacques Cortelyou is ordered to deliver into the Secretary's office, an account of the estate of the deceased Knoet[1] Mauritz, who hath died in this country without leaving any legal heirs.

Notes

A boor, or farmer; a rustic.— Ed

References

Translation: O'Callaghan, E.B., trans./ed., Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New-York, vol. 2 (Albany: Weed, Parsons: 1858), pp. 569-730 (vol. 23, pp. 1-270 only).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.