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Resolution drawn up this 20th of March 1643 at Fort Amsterdam on Curaçao.

With the arrival of the salt ships and the subsequent release of the Company’s oldest servants, as previously promised, we, the undersigned, after closer examination of the consequences and the Company’s service, peace, unity and well-being of this place, have found that the release well serves the extrication of those departing from another imminent famine, but gives little solace to those remaining who need support from the fatherland, because stock is to be placed in supplies from Nieuw Nederlandt, according to our own information and the reports of those who have been there. Before anything else is decided and provided thereto, we find it most expedient for the Company and most beneficial for the island to inform your honors as soon as possible of our total situation and condition, such as the great misery and famine experienced last year, and how after waiting for two or three months, we received neither supplies nor reinforcements from the fatherland; in addition, the enemy’s capture and abandonment of the island of Bonnairo with the results there of, such as the demolition of the fort, destruction of the horses, the burning of the accommodations and equipment for salt production, without which the island is useless to the Company; knowledge of the enemy’s situation, for as much as it is known to us, and what use this may be for the Company’s service, profit and benefit to do the same through the salt ships, would take some time. Whereby comes the report of the present Brazil ships that many Company ships are still waiting at Recif for cargoes of sugar, with which they cannot be accommodated. Without a doubt they would come here to take on salt, for which (in order to accommodate as quickly as possible) we are lacking all sorts of equipment and necessities, such as wheelbarrows, shovels, planks, boards as well as people to gather the salt profitably during the season. After considering and deliberating all this, we find it most beneficial for the Company to remonstrate these matters to their honors at once by a dispatch yacht, so that they can apply their usual careful attention thereto, employing for this purpose a well-fitted Spanish bark named De Can. Thus done and concluded in our meeting and signed with our own hands in witness of the truth thereof. Done on the day, year and place as above.

References

Translation: Gehring, C., trans./ed., Curaçao Papers, 1640-1665 (New Netherland Research Center and the New Netherland Institute: 2011).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.