were compelled to pay
fines, and were cruelly banished. In order that nothing should be
wanting, Cornelis Molyn, when he asked for mercy, till it should be
seen how his matters would turn out in the Fatherland, was threatened in
language like this, as Molyn, who is still living, himself declares, "If
I knew, Molyn, that you would divulge our sentence, or bring it before
Their High Mightinesses, I would cause you to be hung immediately on the
highest tree in New-Netherland." Now this took place in private, and may
be denied--and ought not to be true, but what does it matter, it is so
confirmed by similar cases that it cannot be doubted. For, some
time after their departure, in the house of the minister, where the
consistory(2) had been sitting and had risen, it happened that one
Arnoldus van Herdenbergh related the proceedings relative to the estate
of Zeger Teunisz, and how he himself as curator had appealed from the
sentence; whereupon the Director, who had been sitting there with
them as an elder, interrupted him and replied, "It may during my
administration be contemplated to appeal, but if any one should do it,
I will make him a foot shorter, and send the pieces to Holland, and
let him appeal in that way." Oh cruel words! what more could even a
sovereign do? And yet this is all firmly established; for after Jochem
Pieterz Cuyffer and Cornelis Molyn went to the Fatherland to prosecute
their appeal, and letters came back here from them, and the report
was that their appeal was granted, or would be granted, the Director
declared openly at various times and on many occasions, as well before
inhabitants as strangers, when speaking of Jochem Pietersz Cuyter and
Cornelis Molyn, "Even if they should come back cleared and bring an
order of the States, no matter what its contents, unless their High
Mightinesses summon me, I should immediately send them back." His Honor
has also always denied that any appeal was or could be taken in this
country, and declared that he was able to show this conclusively. And as
some were not willing to believe it, especially in matters against the
Company or their chief officers, a great deal which had been sought out
in every direction was cited, and really not much to the purpose. At the
first, while Director Kieft was still here, the English minister,(3) as
he had long continued to service without proper support and as land was
now confiscated, prayed that he might be permitted to proceed to t