Research

Series:

Scanned Document:

[several lines lost] 20 January 1658 [      ] before the city has [      ] their honors to say that the same [      ] because there [ was ] neither day nor date [      ]. It serves as an answer that the consignment [ received ] on account of the city [      ], the day is indicated when, and to whom [ they were paid ], but as far as the assessment is concerned^[i] there was no [ date ] written, because when ditto consignments were [ paid ] I entered them on the list handed to me by the secretary, and noted that those persons paid without entering the date. This does not matter much anyway, for it is not very important when ditto consignments came in. While on balance a good sum was still due to me, because [ I ] advanced [ it ] to the city, even more so because later all of them will be reimbursed. But the question is [ how ] many of ditto consignments came in, the [ value ] of which may show on the list handed over by secretary Kip [ and ] the lord burgomaster Oloff Stevensz, then [ treasurer ], with the exception of a few items that were left out, for the reason that not much could be expected from those.

Furthermore, your honors were pleased to say that the item of ƒ165 on account of loss on the sewant is not acceptable; my answer to that is that I can explain with good conscience that I [      ] believe that I suffered more loss from that, and [ it ] is sufficiently known to people who [ trade ] here with sewant that the treasury cannot be controlled without loss, all the more because my [ receipts ] consisted of many small items because I have had to receive many rags and junk that I could not sell,^[ii] of which I could show you examples; so that it seems strange that an agent or receiver should bear the loss of the receipt for a small [ inaccuracy ], while half of the commission would be accepted. [several lines lost] [      ] would bring and [      ] to him the same; I [      ] to aforesaid Henderick Hendericksz out of my own treasury, and the remainder I delivered to lord Oloff Stevensz. in full in dry pine boards.

Now coming to the ƒ1194½. To that I will say (because it concerns lord Oloff Stevensen as well as me, as during that time he was serving together with me as burgomaster, and both of us should account for it, as indeed it happened orally in your honor’s meeting of the 19th past of this current month) that the first barrel of beer was given to the carpenters, who at the time of the latest troubles with the wilden were sheathing the walls with boards, and that agreement about this gift was reached in the presence of lord Dela Montangne and lord van Tienhooven, so that this item has absolutely nothing to do with the following.

Now coming to the other items amounting to the sum of ƒ1158½ as they were delivered and reimbursed to Captain Coninck or his [ attorney ]. To this we say that whatever was given to the same captain did not happen with our, subscribers, consent, but with approval and consent of lord van Tienhooven, then fiscal and schout of the citizenry here, and this for his continuous efforts regarding city business, such as aligning^[iii] and other matters; and the remainder was given to his people for their continuous labor, which they had been doing for the city for several months. Considering this against the wages as they are paid here, the work they did would amount to more than three times as much as what was brought into account for it. [several lines lost] cost ƒ2000:– [      ], which in front of^[iv] the city hall [      ] being one of the most urgent [      ] could be thought of for the city [      ] city hall (without doubt) would have lain [      ] from the [      ] unless one would have had those repaired hastily, an improvement that doubtlessly also would have amounted to much higher than the specified sum if compared to the price of having it done at daily costs. On top of that come all the palisades which he had his people cut for the city, which would have cost a great sum here as well. Having considered all of this, he, Capt. Coninck, and his people were given the above sum for their pains taken on account of the city, not thinking that it would lead to any quibbling. We can explain in all honesty that this happened with sincere and honest intentions.

If your honors, after having seen the other following accounts, say that your honors still desire explanation of any of the [      ] mentioned items, I shall not hesitate to fully satisfy your honors, either with [      ], or persons who are still present here. Dated 26 February 1658 in Amsterdam in N: Netherland.

Your honors’ servant, Allard Anthonij

Notes

References

Translation: Gehring, C., & Venema, J. (Ed.). New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vol. 8, Council Minutes, 1656-1658 Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press: 2018.A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.