Document: Petition of Hendrick Ryken, skipper of the ship Sphera Mundi, for leave to purchase tobacco and beaver

[several lines lost] Hendrick Rijsen [ skipper of the ship ] Spera Mundi, lying [ ] shows with due respect that owing to a certain accident he [ was forced ] to come here in this harbor, [ which ] is shown by the enclosed declaration; and whereas the petitioner now happens to have some opportunity here to barter and trade his little remaining merchandise for some tobacco or beavers, he respectfully requests your honors’ consent to do so, being prepared to pay the usual recognition fee like others. It is true that your honors were pleased to grant the petitioner permission (:which he gratefully recognizes:) to buy victuals here for his money, or merchandise and such necessaries as firewood; but whereas tobacco or beavers were not spoken about, the petitioner did not dare to undertake that without having your honors’ consent thereto, which the petitioner respectfully requests. Which doing, I will remain your honors’ servant.

The above petition having been read by the lords councilors, it is resolved as follows: The petitioner is granted and allowed the request, provided that he shall declare precisely to the fiscal which merchandise he delivered or sold ashore here, as well as which goods he takes along on board from here, and that he pay the usual recognition fee. Dated as above.