Document: Declaration of Director Kieft regarding the payment of a protested bill of exchange

Whereas Laur[ ens Cor ]nelisz, [ skipper of the ship De Maecht ] van Enckhu[ ysen ], and Mr. August[ yn Meermans ] have presented to [ me ] a protested bill of exchange for 26[ 22 guilders, 9 ] stivers[1], signed by me for [ goods ] received by and furnished to the Company's servants here, which bill of exchange was protested by the honorable directors, and although I was not bound to make good said bill here inasmuch as it concerns the Company and not me and it was expressly agreed with Mr. Willem Turck that the money was to be received in Holland, yet have I nevertheless been willing to do as much as was possible for me and have paid here the above mentioned sum to the said persons in beavers at eight guilders apiece. And whereas they are still not satisfied therewith, claiming exchange, re-exchange, damages and interest, I therefore say, I am ready to pay all at Amsterdam, provided they credit to my account the beavers which they have received on board ship in payment and sell the same to my best advantage and at my risk. They, the receivers of said bill, will please answer immediately; if not, I shall consider that I am not bound to make good any damage or loss and I shall hold myself henceforth released from all claims in relation to this matter.