Willem Kieft's response to the murder of…

Willem Kieft's response to the murder of Claes Swits is the formation on August 29, 1641, of the Council of Twelve Men on relations with the natives.

Although the council is not permanent, it is the first representational form of democracy in the Dutch colony.

The councilmen are asked three questions:

1. Whether it is not just to punish the barbarous murder of Claes Swits committed by a native and, in case the natives refuse to surrender the murderer at our request, whether it is not justifiable to ruin the entire village to which he belongs?

2. In what manner the same ought be put into effect and at what time?

3. By whom it may be undertaken?

They do not counsel war, as desired by Kieft, instead proposing a friendly request to be sent to the natives to surrender the murderer.