Document: Appointment of persons to superintend the workmen at the fortifications in New Amsterdam

Anno 1654, June 16, New Amsterdam.

Whereas the director-general and council, in consideration of current rumors, have resolved it to be most urgent to secure this place promptly and quickly by constructing some necessary new works, as well as by repairing the old ones of the fort and city; and whereas for this purpose some laborers have been summoned and hired who must necessarily be strictly superintended, so that we are not defrauded of a day's wages through laziness. Therefore, the director-general and council authorize, appoint and commission hereby as overseers and foremen of the works at the fort:

Mr. Nicasius de Sille, councilor. Mr. Arent van Hattem, mayor.

As overseers and foremen of the city of New Amsterdam: Mr. La Montagne. Captain Criger, mayor. Paulus Leendersz, schepen.

As overseers and foremen of the carpenters: Pieter Wolfersz, schepen.

As overseers of brush and woodchoppers to make gabions: Willem Beeckman.

As treasurers: Oloff Stevensen, schepen. Cornelis van Ruyven, secretary

All laborers are directed and commanded to obey the aforesaid overseers individually and jointly, and to carry out with care and diligence the work assigned to them by the aforesaid overseers and foremen. The wages earned by them will be settled every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon by presenting to us certificates from the aforesaid foremen, for which we will issue vouchers to be paid by the treasurers or paymasters. Done at New Amsterdam in New Netherland, 16 June 1654;[1] was signed: P. Stuyvesant etc; and, by order of the same; and signed: Cornelis van Ruyven, secretary; agrees with the original, Jacob Kip, secretary.