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The 16th of July 1647

Jochom Pietersz Kuyter appeared in council and declared and acknowledged as follows:

1. Jochom Pietersz denies that he taunted Director Kieft with being a "Saul," but says that he heard several others call him that.

2. Says that in the course of conversation which took place at the house of the late Bronck, when peace was made with the Wisquaeskex, which negotiations were protracted by the slowness of the Indians, he made the remark "How we could make the Indians pay now for what they have done to us and put them in the cellar."

3. Says: When the Eight Men were met about the excise and some few words passed, the honorable Director Kieft interrupted and said: "There are some among you who say that I have as much money in my house as four horses could draw away from it; others, again, intend to say wonderful things when I arrive in Holland." Whereupon he, Jochom Pietersz, becoming annoyed, said: "Sir, to what purpose are those words? We are here on public, not on private business." He said further: "If one were to repeat all the words which his honor has uttered here and there, there would be no end to it, but this may be done when his honor has taken off the coat with which the lords, his masters, have invested him".

The director, becoming angry, left the room and said "You ungrateful rascal".

4. In regard to mortgaging the country, he says that he requested this by petition and as it was taken into further consideration by the honorable director and council nothing had come of it. The declaration is made in the presence of the honorable director general, Mr. Dincklagen, Captain Lieutenant Nuton, Paulus Leendersz, commissary of naval stores, and Jan Claesz Boll.

The criminal complaint of the fiscal against Jochom Pietersz and Cornelis Melyn, defendants, being read and heard in council, plaintiff demands that the case be expedited and sentence pronounced.

The papers in the case being examined by the director general end council and read to the parties, they are ex superabundantia commanded on the next court day to establish by sufficient impartial testimony the slander contained in their letter to the honorable directors; in default whereof we shall proceed to pronounce sentence according to law. We order that meanwhile they shall remain under arrest. Present: the honorable general,

Mr. Dincklagen, Captain Lieutenant Nuton, Paulus Leendersz, commissary of naval stores, and Jan Claesz Bol. Thus done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherlands

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.