Document: Commission of Israel Bensen Valck to be provost marshal

Petrus Stuyvesant, on behalf of the honorable high mightinesses, the lords states general of the United Netherlands, together with the honorable lords directors of the chartered West India Company of New Netherland, Cura9ao, Bonayro, Aruba, and the dependencies thereof, together with the lords councilors, to all who shall see this or hear it read, greetings. Let it be known that we have deemed it good and advisable, and considered it necessary for the maintenance and dispensing of justice, to designate and appoint a capable person to replace the ab-scon- ded provost marshal,[1] for which we have been recommended the person of Isarel Bensen Valck. Therefore, it is upon the good reports given to us concerning his ability and probity that we have appointed, commissioned, and designated die same thereto, as we hereby appoint, commission, and designate as provost marshal: to pay good attention to the keys, locks, and shackles of the prison; to lock up the prisoners according to orders, and to feed them every morning and evening; also to examine the locks, and take care that no fire, rope, ironwork or sharp instruments are left with the prisoners; and furthermore, to do everything, with regard to his position and office, according to the instructions already given to him or to be given in the future, that a good and faithful provost marshal is obliged to do. Therefore, we order and command each and everyone whom this may in any way concern, to acknowledge and respect the aforesaid Isarel Bensen Valck as our provost marshal, and to offer and extend any help and assistance, in so doing they shall have and be shown our sincere appreciation and gratitude. Thus done and issued in our session held at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland. Ady ut supra.

Rights: This translation is provided for education and research purposes, courtesy of the  New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections, Mutual Cultural Heritage Project. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user. For additional information see our Copyright and Use Statement Source: New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809. Volume 6.