Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-07-18

linquent found herself, yet the spirit
of obstinacy came to her assistance
when she thought of relenting, and she
concluded, most decidedly, to brave
the storm, let it burst ever so furious
ly. A second investigation was had,
which ended in the court delivering
the most curious and ambiguous
opinion or decision, that " the parties
should be at peace !" q But the woman
was resolved that no peace should be
made. She announced that her maid
enly feelings-the sentiment of her
heart-had undergone a total change
since the matrimonial promise was
given, and that all the courts in Am
sterdam proper, New Amsterdam, and
the world beside, could not induce or
compel her to make Pieter Kock her
companion for life, She disliked
Pieter, and he should never have any
thing to so.with her. L LIS.
Horrifed by this contempt Of their
authority-this dreadful insult of their
high stations-the members of the
court commanded the bell to be rung
for Kock vs.. Anna Van Worst, for the
third and last time. The chamber was
crowded on the day appointed, and
every face wore solemn cast. The
fair defendant was weeping in
iured bachelor was smiling grimly, and
evinced the possession of full share
of the phlegm of his nation.
At that time there were no lawyers.
Every man did what the new constitu-
tion says it is proper we should all do
plead his own cause, and that in the
briefest terms. Verbiage was not per-
mitted-the judges could not endure
it. "Never say anything unless you
haveit to say, and say that in the fewest
possible words" was q rule of univer-
sal adoption. Pieter developed the
case in plain, straightforward, concise
language. No feed counsel drew fan
ciful pictures of the complainant's s
"broken heart, blighted hopes, and
future unhappiness, to enlist the SYM
pathies of the hearers. The court
wanted to know whether or not the
contract had been broken, or if 1t had,
if the offending party was willing to
make it good. They thought that no
matter what the result was, the viola
tor of a contract ought to be censured
or punished. Queer people those of
the olden time were They made law
synonymous with justice-a foolish
custom which we have very wisely dis
carded. Pieter's story was not con-
tradicted by Anna, and the court at
once consulted, forming a desision
without any unnecessary delay-another
silly custom, not in keeping with the
wise characteristics of this age.
What a0as the decision, think you ?
How many guilders damages do you
suppose they awarded? Not sne-not
a fraction of money; and for all that
they decided against the faithless
woman. Here is the luminous and wise
award of this bench of Daniels
"We do consider that Anna Van
Worst, single maid, did faithfully
promise to become the wife of Pieter
Kock, single man, burgher and inhabi-
tant of this city of New Amsterdam,
and the promise was mutual. 1t ap-
pears by certain declarations of the
parties, that in consequence of certain
misgivings, the bride of the said Pieter
Koch is in no way disposed to be mar
ried to him. The burgomasters and
schepens of this city. having examined
to their full satisfaction all that car
affect the cause for and against both
parties, do decide that as the promise
of marriage has been made before the
omnifscient (exactly as the word is
written in the record God, it shall re-.
main in force, SO tina. neither the plain.
tiff nor defendant, without the knowl.
edge and appreciation of their lordships
the magistrates, and of either party
shall be permitted to enter into matri.
mony with any other, whether single
man or single woman provided, how
ever, that all the presents made in con.
firmati0n of the marriage contract shall
remain ia the possession of the com
plainant, or until lawful marriage OF
mutual agreement shall exempt then
from the contract. Furthermore, bett
plaintiff and defendant are condemned
equally in the costs of this suit. This
done and sentenced in the session oI
the 18th of May, 1654!" -..,tr.
Thus ended the first trial ever had in
New York for breach of promise oil
marriage. What think you of the de.
cision Could Lycurgus have given Q
better ?2 gE....., ....,',.
Were all cases of the kind so dis
posed of, breaches of promise, or trial
for them, would be few indeed.