The Flushing Remonstrance, 1657
Introduction Seventeenth-century settlers in Flushing drafted a protest that became a watershed of religious freedom in the New World. Let’s both put this remarkable … More The Flushing Remonstrance, 1657 »
Era Category: About the Period
The New Netherland Court of Justice, 1626-1674
From 1626 onward, the Director and Council, acting together, exercised all executive and legislative power within New Netherland. These men also constituted the New … More The New Netherland Court of Justice, 1626-1674 »
Summons to the English to Surrender, 1673
The ship Swanenburgh, anchored betwixt Staten and Long Island. 9th of August, 1673 Sir :—The force of war now lying in your sight, is … More Summons to the English to Surrender, 1673 »
William de Key v. Nicholas Coorn, 1644
William de Key (under the power of attorney for Govert Loockermans) v. Nicholas Coorn October 6, 1644 Public Property — Waterways & Right of … More William de Key v. Nicholas Coorn, 1644 »
The Treaty of Westminster
This peace treaty ended the Third Anglo-Dutch War. It was concluded between the Netherlands and England, and provided for the return of the colony … More The Treaty of Westminster »
Patroon Court
Under the 1629 Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions, patroons were empowered to administer civil and criminal justice, in person or by deputy, within their … More Patroon Court »
Local Courts in New Netherland
Long Island and Other Local English Courts In the early 1640s, many English families from Connecticut arrived in Long Island and applied to New … More Local Courts in New Netherland »
The Court of the Burgomasters and Schepens, 1650-1660
Note: This description has been abstracted from: Henry Wilson Scott. The Courts of the State of New York: Their History, Development and Jurisdiction (1909) … More The Court of the Burgomasters and Schepens, 1650-1660 »
The Court of Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens, 1660-1665; 1673-1674
In 1660, following petitions by the colonists, the offices of New Amsterdam schout and New Netherland Schout-fiscal were separated and the municipal tribunal became … More The Court of Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens, 1660-1665; 1673-1674 »
The Twelve Men and Director Kieft’s Indian War
Dutch relations with the Native Americans began well and the Company’s Instructions to Director Willem Verhulst mandated that the indigenous population be treated … More The Twelve Men and Director Kieft’s Indian War »