Document: Sentence pronounced on Francis Beado

At a Council holden in Fort Willem Hendrick, the 8th December 1673.

Francis Beado being again examined and it being found both by his own acknowledgment and evident proofs, that he hath endeavored to disturb the peace of the good inhabitants etc., it is therefore resolved to proceed to the sentencing of him.

Burgomaster Van Brugh alone requests to be excused in the matter, inasmuch as he maintains that the jurisdiction thereof does not concern the Burgomasters but the Governor and Council only. Wherefore he is excused in the premises.

The following is the sentence:Whereas ffrancis Beado aged about 27 years, a native of London in Old England, at present a prisoner, hath presumed in defiance of the published orders and proclamations, to come, without consent into this Province and to disturb the good people thereof, giving out that he hath commission said inhabitants by fire and sword to attack, rob, burn and destroy, which he also threatened to put in execution in the village of Fordham and would have doubtless carried out had he not been prevented by arrest, all which is sufficiently proved by eye witnesses and his own confession, without torture, and therefore cannot be tolerated in a place where justice is administered, but must be punished as a disturber and breaker of the peace; We, therefore, in virtue of our commission administering justice in the name and for the behoof of their High Mightinesses the Lords States-General of the United Netherlands and his Serene Highness the Prince of Orange, &c., have condemned and sentenced, do hereby condemn and sentence the said Francis Beado to be brought to the place where justice is usually executed and there placed at the stake to be firmly bound and to be branded on the back with a red hot iron and furthermore to be banished out this Province of New Netherland for the term of five and twenty years on pain of death in case he be found and apprehended within that time in this Province, and to pay the costs and expenses of court incurred herein.

Thus done in Fort Willem Hendrick, this 8th December 1673.By order of the Governor-Generaland Council of New Netherland.(Signed), N. Bayard, Secretary.The above sentence was executed according to its tenor on the 20th December, 1673.