Document: Petition of notaries of New Amsterdam for modification of the fee ordinance

[several lines lost] province [ ] occurring opportunity [ ] are not only being [ ] within [ this province of ] New Netherland, but also in [ ] around here, but far from the hant [ ] many miles away from here, upon which [ ] regulations regarding their salaries and appearance money were specified by your honors, among others; for appearance money, four guilders a day except for provisions, additional costs, and salary, without it being exactly expressed and conveyed in what payment. And whereas they, petitioners, are not given anything but white and black poor merchantable sewant at six and three to one stiver, for which they absolutely cannot buy the necessaries from the merchants, farmers, artisans, and workmen but what is to those men’s personal liking and unlimited desire; in addition, the petitioners’appearance money at four guilders a day and the passing and copying of a notarial deed cannot even pay for a pair of new shoes, considering that one has to pay the shoemaker six and seven guilders in beavers for that, which is also the price of all kinds of other wares and similar necessities. Therefore, and for that reason, the petitioners are greatly put at a disadvantage, and whereas in the fatherland a notary going somewhere in commission, usually enjoys four guilders per day for appearance money in addition to food and drink, or otherwise, as your honors know, six guilders for his own expenses; therefore they are forced to turn to your honors, humbly requesting that their appearance money may be increased in agreement with the payments here in this country, and that it [ may be paid ] in beavers or beaver-value in addition to the fixed salary by their masters [several lines lost] [ ] namely, what they may demand for every hour [ ] appearance [ in a meeting ], everything [ as ] your honors shall judge appropriate. Expecting your honors’ favorable resolution, we will remain your honors’ obedient servants,

Was signed,

D.V. Schelluijne Mattheus de Vos

P. Clock

Tillman van Vleck

The above request having been received and read, it is resolved after deliberation that the petitioners are allowed the right to demand and receive the granted salary in beavers or sewant according to the rate at the general office. Dated 5 September 1658.