Document: Petition of Nicholas Varlet that he may be released from the obligation to pay for the company's ship

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To the lords director general and lords high councilors of New Netherland.

Last January, upon my request, the esteemed lord director general was kind enough to grant me the use of the Company’s schouw, when it happened through a sudden severe storm as I with four other persons was in it on the river, loaded with firewood; that not only the same schouw foundered, but I together with the other persons withstood and escaped great peril and danger of loss of life; as everyone well knows several others paid for the same (terrible storm) with the loss of their lives. [several lines lost] whereas [ ] shall [ ] me the payment [ ] the same schouw

[ ] could such a misfortune happen at other times such as this day while being used in the service of the honorable Company; therefore, I humbly request in consideration of the same that your esteemed honors be pleased to spare me the payment of the schouw, as much as is feasible, and your honors’ discretion may find appropriate. Remaining (written below) Your honors’ obedient servant (was signed) Nicolaes Varlet (dated in the margin) the 19th of April anno 1657, Amsterdam in New Netherland.

P. Stuyvesant Nicasius de Sille Pieter Tonneman