Laws and ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674/1643

Of the Director and Council of New Netherland, against selling intoxicating Liquors to Indians. Passed 18 June, 1643.

large quantities of strong liquors are daily sold to the Indians, whence serious difficulties have already arisen in this Country, and further calamities, it is apprehended, will be occasioned; in order to prevent the same, as much as possible, We, the Director General and Council of New Netherland do, therefore, forbid all Tapsters and other Inhabitants, from now henceforth, to sell, directly or indirectly, by themselves or others, any liquors to Indians. If any one shall be found to have acted contrary hereunto, he shall for the first offence forfeit fl. 25; for the second offence, double, and for the third time be arbitrarily corrected.

Thus done and published in Fort Amsterdam on the day and year aforesaid.

This is a Renewal of the Ordinance of the 13 April, 1642. Supra.


 * 1) If any one, on the Burgher guard, take the name of God in vain, he shall forfeit for the first offence 10 stivers; for the second, 20 stivers, and for the third time, 30 stivers.
 * 2) Whosoever on the Burgher guard speaks ill of a comrade, shall forfeit 30 stivers.
 * 3) Whosoever comes fuddled or intoxicated on guard, shall, for each offence, pay 20 stivers. Whosoever is absent from his watch, without lawful reason, shall forfeit 50 stivers.
 * 4) After the watch is duly performed, and daylight is come, and the reveille beaten, whosoever discharges his gun or musket, without orders of his Corporal, shall pay one guilder. The 16 9ber, 1643.