Translation
Petition of Hendrick van Dyck, late fiscal, for his third of the confiscated property of Jacob Reyntie
Copy.
To the noble, highly esteemed director-general and council of New
Netherland.
Henricus van Dyck presents, with all due humility, how he, the petitioner, arrived
here in 1647 on behalf of their High Mightinesses, the lords States-General of the
United Netherlands and the honorable lords-directors of the Chartered West India
Company, honored with the office of fiscal of New Netherland. On the 22nd of May of
the same year, the petitioner assumed the duties of the aforesaid as is well-known.
While performing his duties it so happened that he, the petitioner, in his aforesaid
capacity, arrested the person of Jacob Rynties on 28 May 1648 for selling gunpowder,
lead and guns to the Indians. The aforesaid Jacob Rynties was charged and properly
prosecuted; an inventory of his goods was made in the presence of the commissary. The
judgment obtained against him declared that the aforesaid goods be confiscated, of
which confiscation the petitioner in his capacity was due a just third part,
amounting to one thousand seven hundred and fifty guilders, thirteen stivers, 5⅓; in
addition a just third of the bag of money found among Jacob Reynties’ goods and also
taken by the honorable, esteemed director. Whereas the petitioner has still not had
the pleasure of his just third part of the aforesaid confiscated goods, which, with
all due respect, should have been given to him; therefore, he, the petitioner, turns
to your honors, requesting that he be satisfied here with his just third part as soon
as possible.
Thus doing . . . and signed: Hendrick van Dyck.