Document: Oath of office of vice-director Beeckman

In the meeting on 28 October 1658 the oath below was taken by Wilhelm Beeckman in the presence of the honorable lord director general:[i]

I promise and swear in the presence of the Almighty God that I will be true and faithful to the honorable high and mighty lords States General of the United Netherlands, the honorable lords directors of the Chartered West India Company and their director general and councilors of New Netherland, already appointed or hereafter to be appointed; that I will administer true law and justice, and that I will maintain and promote, as much as it is in my power, the Reformed religion as it is taught and preached in the fatherland and here, in conformity to God’s word and the synod of Dordrecht; that I will take care of the safety of the place to the best of my ability and further, that according to the instructions already given or hereafter to be given, I will promote the service of the Company and the welfare of the land, and [ that I shall ] do to the utmost of my powers what a good and faithful commies and vice director ought to do. So help me God Almighty.

In my presence

C. V. Ruijven, secretary. [blank]