Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 20 April 1648

Whereas Cornelis Jacobsz Stille, Gerrit Jansen van Oldenborch, Cornelis Claesen Swits and Leendert Aerden received from the honorable Director Willem Kieft patents for the farms situated beyond the Fresh Water, on condition that they annually pay to the honorable Company the tithes on the date of the patent, and whereas they have thus far paid nothing and made no preparation worth mentioning to improve the land and cultivate it with zeal and industry for their own and the Company's profit, therefore, the honorable director general and council have thought it highly necessary to warn said farmers to fence their lands and to till them with all diligence in order that the Company may receive their due, on pain, if they continue negligent, of being deprived of the lands which will be given to others who regularly pay the quitrent annually. Said farmers are informed of this by the honorable director and council in court, the 20th of April anno 1648, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Whereas a letter from Vice Director Luycas Hoodenborch of Curaçao, dated the 19th of February, has been received here by the honorable director and council by way of New England on the l4th of April, advising them that the ship Groote Gerritt arrived at Curaçao completely disabled and damaged by a very severe storm or hurricane, having been obliged to throw overboard the most part of the cargo of provisions taken on board at Boston for Curaçao, which was damaged by leakage and the great quantity of water that was in the hold; also, that in consequence of great sickness and mortality the ships Cath and Liefde must remain at Curaçao and that there was scarcely a healthy person aboard said ships; furthermore, that they were in want of everything at Curaçao, especially of provisions, men and materials to repair the ships and refit them for sea, without which they must remain there idle and further deteriorate; therefore, the honorable director general and council have unanimously resolved and concluded, for the best Interest and advantage of the chartered West India Company, to send thither with all possible despatch the yacht Swol, formerly called Beninjo, under command of Paulus Leendersz, at present naval store keeper, as captain, in which yacht shall be shipped as many provisions and necessary materials as can be collected at the present time. And whereas we have here no permanent crew or sailors on the yacht in the service of the Company to navigate said vessel, it is also decided to engage by the public beat of the drum as many seamen as can be obtained to man the yacht Swol and the other ships, and that on as good terms as circumstances permit and only for this voyage. Thus done in full council in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 20th of April anno 1648.