By virtue of these powers, and of the vote of the Company placing New Netherland under its sole control and management, the Amsterdam Chamber of the Company appointed Peter Minuit Director- (teneral, and the following persons as his council, viz., Peter Bylvelt, Jacob Elbertsen Wissinck, Jan Jansen Brouwer, Symon Dirksen Pos and Reynert Harmensen. To these were added Isaac de Rasieres as Provincial Secretary, and Jan Lami)o as "Schout- Fiscaal," {pronounced as if spelled ^' Skowt"), who was an executive officer, combining the powers of a sheriff and an attorney-general. These formed the first organized civil government in what is now this State of New York -- and collectively were styled " The Director-General and Council of New Netherland." The Schout-Fiscaal was entitled to sit with the Council but had no vote. The Secretary was the officer next in importance to the Director, and was also '■ Opper-koopman," or book-keeper and treasurer. •

This Council had supreme executive and legislative

I III. Doc. Hist. N. Y., 41^3.

authority in the colony. It was also the sole tribunal for the trial of all civil and criminal cases, and all prosecutions before it were instituted and conducted by the Schout-Fiscaal. In taking informations, he was bound to note as well those points which made for the prisoner as well as those against him, as the Roman law provides, and after trial to see that the sentence was lawfully executed. He was also chief custom-house officer and had power to inspect vessels and their cargoes, sign their papers, and confiscate all goods introduced in violation of the Company's regulations. This most responsible of all the offices in the new government was held during Director Minuit's entire administration by the above-named Jan Lampo who was a native of Cantelberg. It should be stated also, that when the Schout-Fiscaal acted as prosecuting officer he retired from the bench.