Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 27 May 1647

In the name of the Lord, Amen

In the year 1647

Whereas the honorable Petrus Stuyvesant, director general of New Netherland, Curaçao and the Islands thereof, and the honorable council have considered it necessary and expedient for the best interests of the directors of the Chartered West India Company to appoint and commission a fit and experienced person as commander over all large and small vessels that are at present here or that may hereafter be sent hither, in order, in the absence of the aforesaid honorable general, to command the ships, officers and crews, both on land and water, and to exercise authority and command during all expeditions and exploits, all in conformity with the instructions to be furnished him to that end, in order to prevent all confusion and disorder; [ therefore, ] the person of Jelmer Tomassen is at present [ appointed thereto, being ] judged competent for the said office. Thus done in council in Fort Amsterdam In New Netherland, the 27th of May 1647. Was signed: P. Stuyvesant, Willem Kieft, L: van Dincklaghe. La Montagne.

The honorable general and council of New Netherland, Curaçao, etc., deem it highly necessary for the best interests of the honorable West India Company that a faithful person be appointed in this country superintendent of equipments to look after and exercise proper supervision over all large and small vessels, skippers, sailors and workmen in the service of the Company, and over all other property of the Company and whatever else may appertain thereto. Therefore, the aforesaid general and council have engaged Paulus Leendersz, at present captain of the Groote Gerrit, as superintendent of equipments, who promises to conduct himself diligently and faithfully in the aforesaid office. This 27th day of May anno 1647, In Fort Amsterdam. Was signed: P. Stuyvesant, Willem Kieft, [ L: van Dincklaghe ], La Montangne.

Whereas, Jan Claesen Bol, captain of the ship Swol, requests leave to depart for the fatherland with the ship De Princes, his request is granted and the honorable general and council have engaged Hans Wyer as captain of the ship Swol at fl. [ ] per month. This 27th day of May anno 1647.