Document: Resolution to induce Egbert van Borsum to renew his lease of the Ferry to Breuckelen and to procure a ship for the conveyance of cattle

As on the last of this month the lease of the ferry from this island, the Manhatans, to Long Island will expire, and consequently, the new lease needs to be arranged again, it was resolved to do this by public sale to the highest bidder on the last of this month, for the time of three years.[i] But whereas the director general and councilors foresee that the farming out shall not make much headway on the conditions they have in mind, namely, that the person who remains the farmer will have to buy or build, within 4 or five months at most, a suitable scow to ferry across cattle and other goods, because most persons who say they want to lease the ferry are common, if not poor, people; also because no one will be able to afford [ to incur so heavy expenses for a term of three years. Therefore it is resolved, to try, whether the said ferry cannot ] be let [ again ] furtively [ for a fair equivalent to the present ferryman, Egbert van Borsum, for the term of three years, on condition that ] within four [ or five months he shall have ] had a suitable scow built or bought to ferry across cattle etc. The honorable lords Nicasius de Sille and Johan de Deckere are hereby appointed and authorized to do and try this. Dated as above.