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Treasures of the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library
United Provinces of the Netherlands. Staten Generaal Cuyter, Jochem Pietersz Kieft, William, 1597-1647 Melyn, Cornelis, 1600- Stuyvesant, Peter, 1592-1672
Legal document issued to Peter Stuyvesant, April 28, 1648
1648-04-28
Writ of mandamus, April 28, 1648, concerning the case of Cornelis Melyn and Jochem Pietersz Cuyter, Dutch settlers who suffered losses due to the war "waged by Director Kieft unjustly and contrary to all international law" against the Native Americans. Willem Kieft was the Director of the New Netherlands from 1638 to 1647. He persecuted and massacred Native Americans, and subsequent retaliations led to Kieft's War, with devastating losses on both sides. When Melyn and Cuyter sent a petition to the Netherlands complaining about Kieft, they were banished by Peter Stuyvesant. In this document, the Dutch States General find in Melyn and Cuyter's favor and strongly condemn their treatment and the native peoples' treatment at the hands of Kieft.
Mss Collection -- Y-AHMC -- Melyn papers (Oversize-small) 86277d_Mandamus1648.tif
Real property--New York (State)--Richmond County
West-Indische Compagnie (Netherlands)
Netherlands--Colonies--America--Administration New York (N.Y.)--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 Staten Island (New York, N.Y.)--History--17th century
writs
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