Document: Resolution to impress ships in the harbor for the expedition against the Swedes

Whereas the honorable lords director general and councilors, including the valiant Captain Frederick de Conincx, have deemed it necessary for the service of this province of New Netherland, for various reasons motivating them thereto, to invite in an amicable way some of the present merchant vessels into the service of the country, providing therefor proper compensation, in order to execute and implement, with God’s help, the aforesaid expedition according to the orders and instructions of the honorable lords directors. In case the skippers should be recalcitrant, it was resolved in session to place them with their ships, munitions, accompanying crew, foodstuffs and tools at the disposal of the lord director general and councilors, in order to accompany the warship de Waagh, sent expressly from Holland for the expedition, to the South River of New Netherland, and remain there as long as the lord director general and councilors or their deputies shall order, so that they can be of service to their country. For which service the skippers or their masters shall be given proper satisfaction at Amsterdam in Holland by the aforesaid lords directors, lords and patroons of New Netherland. Ady ut supra. (Was signed:) P. Stuyvesant, Nicasius de Sille, and Cornelis van Tienhoven. 19 August 1655.[1]

Rights: This translation is provided for education and research purposes, courtesy of the  New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections, Mutual Cultural Heritage Project. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user. For additional information see our Copyright and Use Statement Source: New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809. Volume 6.