The Governor and his subservient Council acted both as prosecutors and judges.

The prisoners were accused of instigating the war with the savages, of counselling the mortgaging of Manhattan to the English, and of threatening Kieft with personal violence.

The case was speedily decided and sentence was pronounced.

Stuyvesant wished Melyn to be punished with death and confiscation of property.

But the majority of the Council held back the Governor's avenging hand.