Document: Commission of Cornelis van Ruyven to adopt proper measures for the arrangement of the public accounts

[several lines lost] done [ ] and duty the books [ ] and would [ ] mistakes as would be appropriate, finding [ ] concerns that the said orders [ ] and our good intentions were not followed up [ but were ] neglected by the said Van Brugge, and [ whereas ] the service of the Company greatly requires the said books to be adjusted and brought into good order (which has not happened for several years now) and that such cannot nor should suffer any delay. Therefore, we, the aforesaid director general and councilors, in order to further the necessary work as much as possible, have empowered and authorized our secretary Cornelis van Ruijven, in our name and on our behalf, to employ and use such means to adjust the aforesaid account books as he, for the greatest service of the Company, deems good and advisable. Therefore, we hereby order and command the aforesaid Carel van Brugge and his deputy commies to strictly observe and fulfill this matter, as if they were ordered and commanded by us, on pain of being properly punished if they are found negligent herein, because we find that appropriate for the service of the Company.

Thus done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 25th of May

anno 1658.