NO. 53.— 1902.] GALLE DUTCH RECORDS. 



341 



administered, but as an example to others should be rigor- 

 ously punished ; 



Therefore the Lord President and his Council, having 

 heard the prisoner's free confession, administering justice in 

 the name of the Supreme Authority, nevertheless preferring 

 mercy to the utmost rigour of the law, have condemned 

 and sentenced the said prisoner, as they condemn and 

 sentence him by these presents, to work during one month 

 on the general fortifications and earthworks, carrying earth 

 and stones ; cum expensis. 



Thus done and sentenced in the town of Galle, the 2nd 

 day of July, 1640, and pronounced on the 4th following. 



MS. page 101. 



Whereas Jacob Weber, of Vryburch, Adelborst in garrison 

 in the town of Galle, at present their Worships' prisoner, 

 had a few days ago so far forgotten and misdemeaned 

 himself that with malignity and malice prepense he 

 did in the public street without provocation, grievously 

 beat and maltreat one of our coolies (whereas we hardly 

 know by what kind treatment we shall keep them together), 

 by which undue proceedings the Honourable Company 

 might easily be deprived of its serfs, and they might get a 

 pretext to run away and turn their hand to something else ; 



All which being matters of very hurtful consequence, 

 which should not in the least be tolerated or connived at in 

 a well-disposed Government where justice and the law are 

 administered, but as an example to others should be most 

 rigorously punished ; 



Therefore the Lord President and his Council, having heard 

 the prisoner's free confession, administering justice in the 

 name of the Supreme Authority, oevertheless preferring 

 mercy to the utmost rigour of the law, have condemned 

 and sentenced the said prisoner, as they condemn and 

 sentence him by these presents, to work for one month on 

 the general earthworks ; cum expensis. 



