Document: Petition of Balthazar Beyard for an increase of salary

To the right honorable lord director general and the lords high councilors of N: Netherland

Balthasar Beijard shows with due respect how he, petitioner, has now faithfully served the honorable Company in its office as clerk for more than three years; the petitioner’s behavior is sufficiently known to its honorable secretary Cornelis van Ruijven, to whom your honors will please inquire as to how Beijard has behaved in his service so far, promising your honors that he will continue that way henceforth, to daily make an effort to properly and diligently maintain his prescribed office. Therefore, he, petitioner, amicably requests that your honors increase his present wages a little, as much as your honors will judge appropriate with regard to the merit of his work,

Remaining (lower stood),

Your honor’s obedient faithful servant (was signed), Balthasar Beijard (was dated) Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 7th of January 1658.

The above request having been received and read it is resolved as follows: The petitioner shall be given ten guilders per month from now on, provided that he comport himself diligently and vigilantly, as is appropriate. Done in Amsterdam in N: Netherland, the 8th of January 1658.