appears, however, by his own confession made in our presence, on the 16"" July of this year, without torture or iron bands, that he had a knowledge thereof; confessing that his servants with soldiers had so attempted, but contrary to order and command, whereof he, however, hath neither since nor before complained nor given any information, which is proof enough that he connived at, and silently assented to it: Moreover that he exacted and took by force

from the Indians, when they were hunting on Staten Island, a portion of their game, according to the sworn affidavit dated the last July A" 1G45; all which matters are of very dangerous consequence, tending to mutiny, defamation of justice and supreme authority, to force, [violence] and exaction. To this is also to be added, that he, Melyn, with one Jochim Pietersea Cuyter forged, conceived, drafted, and wrote on the 25"" October 1G44, in the name of the Eight Selectmen, a most false and calumnious letter and caused it to be transcribed and sent to the Hon"'' Chamber at Amsterdam, thereby clandestinely, most scandalously charging, defaming, criminating and accusing the Hon'''' Director Kieft then in loco their governor and superior, of divers grave and culpable errors, as is and can be further seen and read at length in the original, and in the authentic copy thereof. Which We and our Council having investigated and inquired into, at the request of said many points of false and Director Kieft, said calumnious letter has been found to consist in defamatory lies, as is apparent and proved by experience itself, by the testimony of others heard to the number of fifteen, also by the declaration and answers of the co-signers. Whereupon the Fiscal instituting criminal action and suit, charged, accused and convicted said Melya of having here committed in writing against the Hon'''* Director Kieft the crime of insult, defamation and falsehood, and consequently is declared guilty of LcsscB Majestalis.