Document: Conditions on which Warnaer Wessels farmed the excise on wine and beer retailed in New Amsterdam

In the year after the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, one thousand six hundred and fifty-four, on the first day of December, before me, Cornelis van Ruyven, appointed secretary in New Netherland in the service of the General Chartered West India Company, appeared the Hon. FiscalCornelis van Tienhoven, of the first part, who in the presence of the undersigned witnesses declared that he, on behalf of the Hon. Petrus Stuyvesant, director general, and the honorable council of New Netherland, had farmed to Warnaer Wessels from Dordrecht the excise on wine and beer which will be consumed by the tapsters and tavernkeepers within the jurisdiction of this city of New Amsterdam below the Fresh Water in a year from date, and Warnaer Wessels, of the second part, who also acknowledges that he has leased the same on the following conditions, to wit:

He, Warnaer Wessels, shall pay for the aforesaid farming for one year from date the sum of twenty-five hundred and fifty guilders in good current pay, one fourth part of the said rent quarterly, commencing this date, the 1st of December A° 1654, and ending the 1st of December A° 1655. For which Cornelis from Dordrecht offers himself as surety in solidum and principal for the whole, and Jacob van Couwenhoven, inhabitant of this city, offers himself as surety for said Cornelis from Dordrecht, so that in case the surety of Warnaer Wessels happen to fall, he, [ Couwenhoven, ] as counter surety binds himself, his person and property, real and personal, submitting the same to the control of all courts, tribunals and judges, all under binding obligation as by law provided. In testimony whereof this is signed by the parties and witnesses. Done at New Amsterdam in New Netherland, this day the 1st of December A°. 1654.

Warnaer Wessels
Cor: van Tienhouen
Cornelis Hendricksen
Jacob van Kouwenhouen
Jan Lubbertsen
Frans Criegier
Cornelis van Tuyven