On the first of February A° 1646.

Having seen the slanderous writing of Dome Bogardus purporting to be an answer to our charges, wherein he affirms some, and denies other points thereof, and demands proof, Ordered that the Fiscal shall give said Bogardus satisfaction as his party

On the 8th of March, 1646.

Having seen the answer of Everardus Bogardus, minister, dated 8th of March, Ordered, if he has anything more to allege either against the witnesses or otherwise in the remainder of the suit, that he produce it within eight days, and at the same time specify the reason which the Honble Director and Council gave him for abusing them from the chair of truth, and refusing to obey their order; in default whereof the suit shall be proceeded with to proof, notwithstanding his subterfuges. The 8th of March 1646.

Whereas Dome Bogardus has not yet answered the papers sent to him on the 8th February, he is hereby ordered to answer them by the next Court day, and show cause why he has calumniated the Magistrate from the Chair of Truth, and in his writing.

Having seen the writing dated the 15th March 1646 sent by the messenger from Everardus Bogardus, minister, it is for the second time ordered that Deft. shall declare at the next session. whether he has any more objections against the evidence and other points of the suit, and any other cause why he has calumniated the Director and Council in the Chair of Truth, and neglected their order. In default, the suit shall be despatched.

Everardus Bogardus, minister, has delivered in Court an answer to the resolution of the 15th of March and previous dates, wherein he declares that he will not at present proceed further or deeper in the case, or with the evidence or remainder of the suit; and whereas, he Bogardus has challenged the Director and Council as judges, although we, by virtue of the commission granted us by their High Mightinesses, his Highness, and the Hone Lords Directors, are fully qualified to decide the case, as it concerns our office and the authority of our superiors vested in us, Yet in order to obviate all occasion of scandal, we are willing to place our claim in the hands of impartial judges of the reformed religion, such as Domine Johannes Megapolensis, Mr. Douthey, both ministers, and two or three impartial members of this Province, provided Bogardus shall submit his case, as we do, to their judgment, and that he, in the meanwhile, shall not privately or publicly, directly or indirectly, by abuse or calumny offend the Director and Council, and if, meanwhile another Director and other Councillors arrive here, we are content to place the matter in their hands. On which he is ordered to communicate his resolution on the 12th April

next.

Dated 22d of March 1646 in Council in New Amsterdam.

12 April Anno 1646.

Having seen the answer of Everardus Bogardus, minister, dated the 12th of April, delivered in writing, whereby he refuses the civil offer made him on the 224 of March last by the Director and Council, to submit the suit against him to two Reformed ministers and some impartial members of this country, but appeals to the coming of a new Director and Council, and whereas it is uncertain what time a new Director will arrive, we cannot consequently neglect putting a stop to the disorder and scandals which have prevailed hitherto, but are resolved to proceed with the suit, we therefore order that an answer to his last writing delivered to us shall be sent to him, De Bogardus,

within eight days, to be by him replied to for the last time on the 26th of this month, in default whereof the case shall be decided.

11th of June.

Whereas Oloff Stevensen, deacon and commissary of cargoes and the store, has presented a petition to us wherein he requests that four arbitrators may be named by us who might decide the difficulty which he has with Dome Everardus Bogardus, minister here to which said Bogardus also consents, (see his writing delivered to us by him, Oloff) Therefore we do not object so to do, and hereby nominate Dome Megapolensis, Mr. de Hooges, Yoncker Adriaen Verdonck and Laurens van Heusden, commissary, whom we amicably request, authorize and empower to decide and settle the aforesaid question as far as in their power lies, reserving the action which the Fiscal may have against Oloff Stevensen.

Thus done in Fort Amsterdam the 11th June A° 1646.

The Honble Director and Council to you, Reverend Bogardus, minister here.

Although the offer we have made your Reverence to submit our case to arbitration, as you have requested, sufficiently proves the justice of our proceedings and the inclination we have for peace, as your refusal establishes the contrary, nevertheless the respect we bear the dignity of the ministry, and the desire for your Reverence's welfare prompt once more to seek it, seeing the opportunity that now presents itself on the part of those whom we had nominated thereto; From the ministers, Dome Johannes Megapolensis and Mr. Douthey, and such other impartial members as you yourself will be willing to select; protesting in case of refusal that we shall proceed to judgment. And in order that we may with more fervour pray God in the midst of the congregation that He would dispose you and our hearts to a Christian concord, we request Dome Megapolensis may preach next Sunday, as has been always his custom, and being here make us partakers of the gifts with which God has blessed him. Your Reverence will please to gratify us so far in this matter as that we may hear him on that occasion. Relying hereon, and not doubting that your Reverence will have any objection to it seeing the justice of our request, we shall await your Reverence's immediate answer thereto, and on the preceding matter next Thursday, being the 14th June.

LEASE OF A BOWERY NEAR THE NARROWS ON L. I.

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, appeared Anthony Jansen from Salee, who in the presence of the witnesses here underwritten declared and acknowledged that he leased his bouwery situate below the narrows (door de hooften) on Long Island, to Edmund Adley, who also acknowledged to have hired it for the term of four consecutive years, commencing on the 2 of last September and ending on the 24 September 1650. Anthony Jansen shall also be bound to have built a house fit to live in, and the Lessee shall cause the arable land to be enclosed once for all with posts and rails, which fence Edmund remains bound to deliver back, on the expiration of the four years as good (at least tight) as it now will be delivered, and the Lessee promises to keep the house and fence in repair at his own

* Evidently a mistake for "Lessor."

expense during the lease. The Lessee shall annually pay as rent of the aforesaid Bowery, cattle and implements which Anthony now delivers, the sum of two hundred guilders the first year, and two hundred and fifty guilders every year the three succeeding years, with five pounds of butter annually. The other property which Anthony Jansen now delivers, as per the subjoined inventory Adley is bound to restore at the end of the lease, when the number of the cattle that the Lessee* now delivers shall first of all be deducted, and then the increase shall be divided half and half between the Lessor and the Lessee. It is also expressly stipulated that the risk of the cattle shared be shared in common both by the Lessor and Lessee during the lease, and if any of the cattle happen to die, the loss must first of all be made good from the increase.

(Remainder of Mss. destroyed.)

Inventory of the property, implements and cattle delivered by Anthony Jansen, lessor, to Elmund Adley, lessee, who acknowledges to have received the same, and promises to deliver them on the expiration of the lease, as appears by the preceding contract, to wit:

1 stallion 12 years old; 1 stallion of 3 years.

1 mare of 4 years. Edmund shall allow one stallion colt and two bull calves, at the end of the four years, though the colt may be grown, and the bull calves, oxen; because Anthony receives so little butter; of which colt and calves the Lessee runs no risk, unless the animals be lost through the Lessee's negligence.

Two cows in good condition.

Two new plows and appurtenances.

1 wagon and appurtenances.

One harrow with iron teeth; 2 spades; 2 scythes; 2 siths and hasps.

1 handsaw; one iron sledge; 1 iron maul; 1 churn and fixtures.

One axe; one cream pot; two pails; one handmill; one fan; one pitchfork; three forks; one three pronged fork; three horse collars with one long rope, being a fore and aft trace. One carpenter's adze; one ditto axe; 1 sickle; 1 hook; one auger; one long gun. Anthony promises to furnish as much seed corn as he can.

In testimony this is signed by parties the 6th of September 1646. New Netherland. mark of EDMAN ADLEY, made by himself.

This is the

CONTRACT. JAN TEUNISSEN SCHOUT OF BREUKELEN, TO CUT AND CONVEY TO THE FERRY, TIMBER FOR A HOUSE FOR SERJEANT DOMAN, AND TO ERECT THE SAME.

Gerrit Douman, Serjeant, and Jan Tonissen, Schout of Breuckelen, have this day agreed and contracted in manner as follows, to wit: Jan Tonisen promises to cut at Breuckelen, or

* Evidently a mistake for "Lessor."

wherever he can best, the following timber, and to properly hew and deliver the same out of the woods near the ferryman on the strand; the timber for a house forty feet long, seven beams three posts to each beam, the cross timbers twenty-two feet long extending four feet through, four window frames, three door frames, one little window in the garret, all shingles to the peak of the roof, to be split ones; The cross timbers shall be cut square of ten and seven inches. All which timber being brought to the strand on the other side, Douman remains bound to have the same hauled and carried to the work at his own expense. When the aforesaid timber shall be brought there, Jan Teunessen shall raise the woodwork and cap, but Douman shall furnish the nails; For all which Gerrit Douman promises to pay, for account of the Company, to Jan Teunessen for labor when the job is completed, the sum of sixty-five guilders, Jan Teunessen promises to deliver on the strand all the timber in the month of April next, and to raise it as soon as Douman shall have hauled and brought it to the work. In testimony this is signed by parties the 224 November 1646 in New Amsterdam, New Netherland. Jan Teunissen. Gerrit Doman. my knowledge Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary.

Το

LEASE OF A HOUSE AND LOT OF LAND AT BREUKELEN ON LONG ISLAND.

This day date underwritten, Crigier Pisher and Garrit Seers have, in the presence of the underwritten witnesses, leased from Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, a piece of land of such dimensions as it may be, situate at Breuckelen on Long Island, for the term of four consecutive years which shall begin on the first of August A° 1647 and terminate on the first of August 1651, during which aforesaid time the Lessees shall not have to pay any rent, but be free; only if in the meanwhile any acknowledgment must be made to the authorities, the Lessees shall be bound to pay it. In compensation for being permitted to cultivate the land rent free, the Lessees promise to thoroughly clear the maizeland in the abovementioned lot within the term of four years aforesaid, so that the plough can run over the whole of it and it can be ploughed. Should there be any stones so large that two men cannot move them, the Lessees may let them lie; but they must remove the small stones from the land. The Lessees are bound to cut, burn and remove from the land within the time aforesaid, all the trees which are standing on Tienhoven's clearance, also in consideration for not paying any rent; but they shall be at liberty to leave the stumps. For which they shall receive, at the end of the four years, from Tienhoven or whomsoever may obtain his interest, one hundred Carolus guilders over and above the exemption from rent and free dwelling. The Lessees shall at their own expense maintain and fix the post and rail fence that is now set up or shall be erected by order of the Schepens, whether in front, in the rear, or at the sides, and at the termination of the lease deliver the same back in a good defensive condition against cattle, which (fence) shall be the property of the Lessor, without demanding any thing for it. They shall properly occupy the house according to their circumstances and keep it weather tight during the lease, and at the end thereof surrender it in a tight condition, and in case the house, thro' the neglect or inattention of the Lessees should be destroyed by fire, the Lessees shall be bound to repair the damage, but they shall not be held responsible if such occur from enemies or other mischance, provided they have previously defended the house with their other neighbors according to their ability. The Lessees shall not be at liberty to sublet the place to any person, much less to

remove away from it without the consent of the Lessor; and in case it be found that the Lessees have, in any manner, violated this their contract, the Lessor shall have power to institute his action therefor against them, the Lessees.

Thus done in good faith and hereof two copies are made of the like tenor, the 26th of January 1647, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

LETTERS FROM THE DIRECTORS IN HOLLAND TO DIR. STUYVESANT; MINERALS SENT TO HOLLAND; PEACE WITH THE INDIANS; NEW AMSTERDAM; ENGLISH ALLOWED ΤΟ SETTLE IN NEW NETHERLAND; IRON MINE ON STATEN ISLAND; ENGLISH TRADING HOUSE NEAR FORT ORANGE.

By the ship "de Jager" skipper

Thomassen, we have duly received your letters of the 224 of September 1646 with divers documents and specimens of minerals. In accordance with the said letter and accompanying list we find copies of your Honor's last letter, dated 25th of November 1645, sent hither by the special messenger Arent Corssen, who until this day has not appeared nor have we been able to hear from him in England, although we sent letters to Plymouth, where the ship belonged, before it sailed from We apprehend therefore, that the said ship has met with mishap on the way.

Having meanwhile received the copies, we shall answer their contents point for point, if necessary and state, that we were especially glad that not only peace has been made with the savages there, but also that it will probably be lasting and firm; as however the bad disposition of these savages has before this shown them to be deceitful, we on our side will always have to keep a watchful eye on them and their doings and therefore [every occasion to re-open the war must be avoided and all injuries presented]. We would have been pleased, if the conditions or articles of the said peace (which we trust have been made in writing) had been sent over and we expect them now at the return of the former Director Kieft.

We were not less rejoiced to hear, that there are signs of progress, that some villages are springing up and that fine buildings are being erected around Fort New-Amsterdam. We trust your Honors' administration will have the tendency to promote all such undertakings, we on our side shall not fail to manage matters with that view, so that our conquests may be brought in such a flourishing state, that at last we can reap the long expected benefits therefrom.

Concerning the request of the Englishmen for permission to come and settle among us, on which your Honors await our decision, we have not found any very great objections, to allow them for the present to come in in reasonable numbers, but the appointment of the Magistrates must absolutely be left to our Director, at least in the same way as it is done among our own people and according to the established regulation.

The specimens of New Netherland minerals, sent over, have been examined, but, we are told no metal has been found in them; we can nevertheless only deem it advisable, to order the continuation of the search for minerals by your Honors and wish to know, what kind of mineral