Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 13.pdf/433

 396

THE PETITION OF JACQUES DE LA MOTTHE.1 BY LEE M. FRIEDMAN. IN 1654 Brazil was surrendered to the Por tuguese and the Dutch settlers withdrew leisurely to the growing colonies in New Netherlands. The Jews settled at Bahia, who had fought valiantly at the side of their Dutch neighbors, found themselves outcasts, forced to flee from the homes they had oc cupied for almost twenty-five years. A few of these Jews escaped to Cape St. Anthony, where they fell in with some of their old neighbors, who were embarking for New Netherlands. The Jews pleaded to be taken along. The little barque St. Catrina was very small and already overcrowded, and Captain de la Motthe did not regard Jews with favor. However, the Jewish gold and extravagant promises to still larger payments overcame the captain's prejudices, and finally the Jews were taken aboard, but the larger part of their possessions were left behind to be sent after them to New Amsterdam when ever opportunity might offer. At last, one autumn day the St. Catrina cast anchor in the waters of New Amsterdam. When, however, the Jews prepared to go ashore Captain de la Motthe would not allow any of their goods to be carried from the ship until every stiver of the passage money of each one of them had been paid. They reasoned with him. They told of the goods they expected to be sent after them. They spoke of the promises of assistance from friends in Holland. They offered drafts on their kinsmen. To all explanations and promises the captain was deaf. The Jews were obliged to go ashore and leave their goods behind them. They had no friends in New Amsterdam to whom they could ap peal for aid. Without food or shelter they were obliged to camp on the shore outside the town. They ate the bread of charity and 1 All the Court proceedings are to be found in " Records of New Amsterdam," vol. i.

grew disheartened at the constant demands for payment of Captain de la Motthe. The clays dragged on and Captain de la Motthe grew impatient. In vain the Jews begged more time until the arrival of the ships which surely would bring their goods. In vain they pointed to the nine hundred guilders they had paid in advance, and begged for only a part of their goods and tools, that they might start work to earn the balance. In vain they promised the captain to pay when he should return again to New Amster dam. He pointed to his contracts and in sisted on every guilder of his dues. He swore at them and he threatened them, yet the poor Jews had never a stiver left to give him. and the captain would show them no mercy. Matters soon reached a climax. The court records of New Amsterdam tell the story. On Monday the seventh of September, six teen hundred and fifty-four, the Jews were summoned before the Worshipful Court of Burgomasters and Schepens of the City of New Amsterdam. "Jacques de la Motthe, master of the bark St. Catrina, by a petition written in French, requests payment of the freight and board of the Jews whom he brought here from Cape St. Anthony; according to agreement and contract, in which each is bound in solidntn. and that therefore, whatever furniture and other property they may have on board his bark may be publicly sold by order of the Court, in payment of their debt. He verbally declares that the Netherlanders, who came over with them, are not included in the con tract and have satisfied him. Solomon Pietcrsen, a Jew, appears in Court and says that nine hundred and odd guilders of the 2,500 are paid, and that there are twenty-three souls, big and little, who must pay equally." Solomon Pietersen spoke much more to the point, telling of struggles, hopes, disap