Document: Commission of Carsten Jeroensen to command the yacht Cock; news of peace with England received

Anno 1654, June 15, New Amsterdam.

Petrus Stuyvesant, on behalf of their noble High Mightinesses, the lords States-General of the United Netherlands and of the noble lords-directors of the Chartered West India Company, director-general of New Netherland, Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba and their dependencies, to all who read this or hear it read, greetings. Let it be known that for the purpose of promoting trade and commerce between these governments entrusted to us and other neighbors, we have decided to equip and send from here directly to the island of Curacao the yacht named de Haen. Whereas we need, above all, a capable and experienced person to take the aforesaid yacht to sea; therefore, upon the good reports and recommendations concerning the person of Carsten Jeroensz van Amsterdam, who has previously served us, to our great satisfaction, as pilot aboard the ship, de Prins Willem, we have for the present appointed and commissioned, as we hereby appoint and commission him, as skipper and chief officer aboard the yacht, de Haen, with the instruction and authority to man the aforesaid yacht and provide it with munitions of war as is necessary, giving us a list thereof. Thus manned and equipped, he is to sail from here directly to the island of Curacao and return here, without touching, unless compelled by necessity, at any other islands or places and committing any acts of hostility on his way out and back against other barks or vessels, those of the English nation not excluded, because we have been informed by good authority that the differences between our two nations in Europe have been arranged and compromised. However, if approached, he will defend himself as best as possible. Therefore, we instruct all our subjects and request all our neighbors, generals, governors and captains to recognize and receive the aforesaid Carsten Jeroensz according to this his commission and not to hinder or delay him, his ship's crew and cargo on his voyage to and from Curacao, but rather to give him all the assistance and preference requested by him, which assistance and preference we shall accordingly reciprocate and be indebted for. Given under our usual hand and seal, 16 June 1654, New Amsterdam in New Netherland.