Document: Lease from Michiel de Carreman to Joseph d'Acosta of a house in New Amsterdam

Before me, Cornelis van Ruyven, appointed secretary in New Netherland in the service of the General Chartered West India Company, and before the undersigned witnesses, appeared the worthy Michiel de Carreman of the one part and Joseph d'Acoste of the other part. Said Michiel de Carreman declared that he had leased and he, Joseph d'Acosta, acknowledged that he had hired a certain house belonging to the lessor, standing and situated within this city of Amsterdam in New Netherland, next to the house in which the lessor dwells at present and the house of Jacob Wolphertsen van Couwenhoven, at present occupied by his late wife's mother, together with the well and the yard as Johannis Withart has used the same; and that for the term of one year, which lease shall first commence on the first of July anno 1656 and end, also on the first of July, anno 1657; but if the lessee will then give the same rent for the premises which another offers, he shall have the preference, on the following conditions.

The lessor promises to deliver to the lessee the aforesaid house wind and water tight, which the lessee remains bound to keep in good repair as to roof and walls during the lease and at the end of the term to deliver it up to the lessor in the same condition. For the rent of the aforesaid house the lessee promises to pay the sum of two hundred and fifty guilders and twenty cans of brandy, the 200 guilders in good merchantable beavers and the fifty guilders in good current seawan. For all that is hereinbefore written the parties respectively bind their persons and properties, present and future, without exception, submitting the same to the control of all courts and judges. In testimony whereof this is signed by the parties and by Isacq Israel and Willem Bogardus, as witnesses hereto invited. Actum, Amsterdam in Nieu Netherland, the 6th of December anno 1655.

Michiel de Carreman
Joseph da Costa
Izaque Israel
W: Bogardus