Document: Power of attorney from Pieter Lucassen to his brother to manage his affairs during his absence

On this day, date underwritten, before me, Cornelis van Ruyven, appointed secretary in New Netherland for the General Chartered West India Company, appeared the worthy Pieter Lucasz, skipper of the small ship D'Offerhande Abrahams, who declared that, intending to depart for Curasao, he had appointed and empowered, as he appoints and empowers hereby, Marynus Lucasz, his brother, to take charge of and turn to advantage to the best of his judgment all the goods which he, the principal, has here at present, or which during his absence may be consigned to him, together with his movable and immovable property, actions and credits, without any exception; with power also, if necessary, to substitute one or more persons in his place, he, the principal, promising to hold valid whatever shall be done and performed in the matter aforesaid and what appertains thereto by his aforesaid attorney and his substitutes, as if he personally had done and performed the same, binding himself thereto in every way as by law provided, on condition that the attorney under like obligation remains bound at the request of the principal to render proper account, proof and balance of his transactions; all without fraud, thus done in the presence of Jan juriaensen and Steven Cortlant, as witnesses hereto invited. Actum in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 21st of December A° 1654.

Pieter Lucassen
Cornelis van Ruyven