Document: Minute council approving the departure of the director-general to the South river

[20th of April (1658).

In council the noble honorable director general proposes and offers for consideration the necessary redress] of the honorable Company’s [ affairs on the South River of New Netherland and the arrangements needed which ought to be made there, that the rights of the Company might be properly ] maintained [ and taken care of, especially in ] collecting and receiving the recognition fees on both imported and exported goods, as last year, and now again, he himself was informed by letter from qualified persons there who are favorably disposed towards the honorable Company, of the great frauds and encroachments that the Company has come to suffer there in its recognition fees, as many peltries are shipped and not properly declared, so that both by the merchants here as well as those on the South River, who do pay the honorable Company’s dues, complaints were made that they are unable to compete with their goods with those who don’t pay the recognition fees.[i] Further, that several inhabitants of the colony of Nieuwer Amstel requested, as appears from their letters, to be allowed to settle in the Company’s district in the area of Fort Altena, and to establish plantations. All these matters, as well as the making of some necessary arrangements among and regarding the Swedes, cannot very well be attended to by letters. Therefore, the lord director general deemed necessary [ to go ] there himself sometime, together with one of the lords councilors [ either across country or by sea, as it may be most convenient, to give directions for the good and necessary settlement of the foregoing and other affairs of the Company there. After serious consideration and deliberation by director general and councilors of ] the proposition of lord [ director general ] and of the written and oral reports regarding the Company’s affairs on the South River, which now and then are made by various persons, the director general and councilors judge the director general’s departure for the South River to be necessary, and that, as far as the director general and councilors are able to comprehend and foresee it, it will be of considerable service and benefit to the Company, as well as to the peace and greater harmony of its subjects there. In view of which the director general and councilors unanimously deem necessary the lord director general’s prompt departure, and as quick a return as shall be possible after business has been completed. And it is resolved that lord Pieter Tonneman shall accompany the lord director general there. Thus done at the meeting of the director general and councilors, the 20th of April 1658.

P Stuyvesant Nicasius de Sille Pieter Tonneman J de Deckere 1658