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Resolutions drawn up on this 20th of August 1643 at Fort Amsterdam on Curaçao.

Whereas we are unable to send the yacht De Paroquiet (now repaired and ready to sail) out on a cruise through lack of crew and food and have no other use for it except to keep watch before Buenairo, which can be easily taken care of in the meantime by the sloop or boat, we find it beneficial to the Company and necessary, according to the honorable directors’ instructions to maintain good intelligence with the Indians of Aruba, to dispatch the aforesaid yacht there in order to find out about the condition of the island and the natives, it being well over seven months since we have had any news from there. In addition there are some Indians from there living on this island, who still have some children and wives there, and others who have some livestock such as male and female goats and sheep, requesting they all may be transported over here. We have hereby granted them this as an addition to the population and a benefit to this island.

Second, we find it unadvisable at this opportunity as prejudicial to the Company and dangerous to this state, to release nearby the Spaniards who were stranded here and now captured, whether on the mainland or on Espaniole,^[i] in view of the fact that if they have knowledge of our present grave condition as they may have had last year by way of two deserters, both about this time of year, they might draw the conclusion of a continual opportunity at or after this time to undertake another enterprise for the investment of this fortress; also having seen our people going daily into the countryside to procure food and, in addition, noticing that the Negroes are busy preparing gardens in the countryside, they might well conceive [      ] because with the beginning of the rainy months the period of inactivity is at hand, about which time those of the mainland have been mostly accustomed to visit this island before.

In addition there is the proposal of the Spanish captain (according to information from the gunsmith) made to him, whether he and others who were Roman Cathloic would not want to come over, if he tame to fetch them at Piscadero^[ii] with a bark or other vessel. Although reported by the gunsmith without proof or witnesses and denied under oath by the Spaniard, it gives us some suspicions. These considerations have led us to resolve, for the maximum benefit of the Company and preservation of this fortress, to keep the captured Spaniards here until relief comes from the fatherland or the opportunity arises to send them away to Neuva Espanien,^[iii] Cuba or to Florida.

Third, pursuant to the instructions of the honorable lords-directors, we order that the yacht De Paroquiet have a supercargo for the assistance of the skipper and supervision of the food supply, for which, after examination of his capability and trustworthiness, we have selected and appointed a certain Thomas Thomassen van Uytrecht, having come from Nieuw Nederlandt. He has served here for a time at the counting-house as clerk, during which he has demonstrated himself to be diligent and industrious, for which service we have increased his salary six guilders. Thus done and concluded at the place, year and day stated above.

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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.