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Resolution drafted on the island of Curaçao, 22 July 1644.

Whereas we have since last Monday, being the 18th of this month, until today done our best to bring some needed equipment aboard the galiot and sloop to Bonnairo to take advantage of the salt and at the same time the Company’s Black servants, but have been hindered until now by contrary currents and we still see no chance to put to at the shore; therefore, we find it advisable for the most profit and benefit of the Company to let the galiot cross over to the coast of Espaniola or at least around north of the island with as many Negroes and as much equipment as can suitably be carried. The arrival of De Melckmeyt at Bonnairo has compelled us to do this when it informed us today, 22 July, of its arrival there and that there was enough salt for a load; which at this opportunity, it being late in the year, “a bird in flight can suffer no delay.”

Moreover, it is also necessary that the galiot be sent up there in order to bring some bread to our cruising yachts Neptunus and Paroquiet which they need and since their departure has been baked here for them, of which they shall daily be in want.

In the meantime we shall keep the sloop nearby in order to use it, when the current reverses, to land the remaining Negroes and equipment so that we can take advantage of the salt as soon as possible. Thus done and concluded at the place, year and day as stated 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.