Van Rensselaer Bowier manuscripts, being the letters of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, 1630-1643, and other documents relating to the colony of Rensselaerswyck
XVI. Dat men alle ses Jaren sal maecken gencrale Reeckeninge van alle uytreedingen ende retouren, mitsgaders van winste ende verlies vande Compagnic, te weten, een vande Negotie, ende een van- der Oorloge, elck apart: Welcke Reeckeninge in 't openbaer sullen worden gedaen, naer voorgaende affixie van billetten, ten eynde ye- der een daer by Interest hebbende, op 't hooren vande selve reecken- inge sal mogen komen : Ende in dien voor de expiratie van 't sevende Jaer, de Reeckeninge in manieren voorschreve niet werden gedaen, sullen de Bewinthebberen verbcuren heure Provisien, die tot prof- fijt vanden Armen sullen werden bekeert, ende syluyden evenwel ghehouden blijven haere Reeckeninge als vooren te doen, binnen sulcken tijde, ende op soodanige peynen, als by ons tegens de ge- breeckigen sullen werden gestatucert. Ende sal niet te min onder- tusschen vande winste vande Negotien uytdeelinge gedaen worden, so dickwils als men bevinden sal dattcr thien ten hondert geprofij- teert sal zijn. XVII. Niemant sal, gheduerende den tijdt van desen Octroye, sijn Capitael ofte ingheleyde Penningen uyt dese Compagnie mogen tree- ken : Gelijck men oock gheen nieuwe Participanten sal mogen inne- men: Dan indien ter expiratie van vier en twintich Jaren mochte VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS 99 and two years after a like third part; and again after two years, the last third part; and thenceforth successively, the oldest in the service shall be retired; and in the place of [each] retiring director or of such as shall at any time die, or for other reason leave a va- cancy, three others shall be nominated by the directors, both remain- ing and retiring, together with those cliief participants who in per- son and at their own expense shall care to join them, from which number the aforesaid respective provinces, deputies or magistrates, shall elect new directors and successively supply the vacancies ; and they shall be considered chief participants who in their own name participate for the same amount as the respective directors. XV. That the accounts of the equipment and fitting out of the ships, with their appurtenances, shall be rendered three months after the departure of the ships and that one month thereafter copies shall be sent to us and to the respective Chambers; and the Chambers shall (as often as we see fit or they are requested by the [other] Chambers) send to us and to each other an account of the returns and also of the sales of the same. XVI. That every six years a general accountmg shall be made of all outfits and returns, as also of all gains and losses of the Com- p>any, to wit, one relating to trade and one relating to war, each separate; which accounts shall be rendered publicly, notices being previously posted, to the end that every one who is interested may attend the hearing of the said accounts; and if before the expira- tion of the seventh year the accounts are not rendered in the manner aforesaid, the directors shall forfeit their commissions, which shall be appropriated to the use of the poor, and they shall nevertheless be held to render their accounts as aforesaid within .>uch time and under such penalty as shall be fixed by us respecting the delinquents. And none the less a dividend shall meantime be declared from the profits of the trade as often as it shall be found tliat ten per cent has been gained. XVII. No one shall be permitted during the contmuancc of this charter to withdraw his capital or sums advanced fron this Com- pany; nor shall any new participants be admitted. If at the expira- tion of twenty- four years it shall be judged well to cc-ntinue this lOO NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY goet ghevonden werdeii dcse Compagnie te continueren, ofte een Nieuwe op te rechten, sal finale Reeckeninge ende estimatie by de Negenthien met onse kennisse ghedaen worden, van alle 't geene dese Compagnie is toe-behoorende, als oock vandc nootelijcke kosten die by de selve zijn gedaen, ende yeder een vermogen na de voorsz af-rekeninge ende ghedane estimatien, sijne Penningen te lichten, ofte inde volgende Compagnie na advenant van dien, in 't gheheel ofte deel, te continueren ofte participeren. Ende sal in sulcken gevalle de volgende Compagnie de restanten, die volgens de Reeckeninge ende estimatie bevonden sullen worden, tot haren laste moeten nemen : Ende de Participanten, die indc Compagnie niet sul- len goet vinden te continueren, hacr contingent betalen, op alsulcke termijnen als de Negenthien met onse kennisse ende goet-vinden sullen bevinden te behooren. XVIII. Dat soo dickwils het van noode sal zijn een Generate ver- gaderinge vande voorsz Kameren te houden, *t selve sal geschieden by negentien Persoonen, daer inne uyt de Kamer van Amsterdam sullen compareren acht : uyt Zeelant vier : vande Maze twee : uyt het Noorder-quartier twee: uyt Vrieslant, mitsgaders Stadt ende Lan- den twee. Welverstaende dat den negcntliiendcn Persoon, ofte soo veel meer als wy t' elckens sullen goet vinden, by ons sal worden gedeputeert, omm^inde voorsz Vergaderinge de saecke vande Com- pagnie ten besten te helpen dirigeren. XIX. Van welckc Generale Vergaderinge vande voorschreve Ka- meren, alle saecken dese Compagnie aengaende, verhandelt ende be- slooten sullen werdcn : Welverstaende dat in saecken van Oorloge op de genomen Resolutie, vcrsocht sal worden onse approbatie. XX. De voorschreve Generale Vergaderinge beschreven zijnde, sal te samcn komen om te resolveren, wanneer men sal equipercn, hoe veel Schepen men op elck Quart ier sal senden, de Compagnie in 't gemeen betreffende, sonder dat d'een oft d ander Kamer yet sal mogen acnrichten buyten de voorschreve gemeene Resolutien, maer sullen ghehouden zijn de selve te effectueren ende in 't werck te stellen. Ende indien eenige Kamer bevonden werde in ghe- breecke te zijn de ghemccne Resolutien te achtervolgen, ofte te con- travenieren, Hebbcn Wy de selve Vergaderinge geauthoriseert, ende authoriseren by dcsen, om soodanich ghebreck ende contraventie metten eersten te doen repareren, waer inne wy des versocht zijnde haer sullen assisteren. XXL De selve Generale Vergaderinge sal ghehouden worden de eerste ses Jaeren binnen de Stadt van Amsterdam, ende twee Jaren daer nae in Zeelant, ende soo voorts van tijde tot tijde inde voorsz twee Plaetsen. VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS lOI Company or to erect a new one, a final accounting and cslimalc shall be made by the Nineteen, with our approval, of all that belc^ngs to the Company, and also of their necessary expenses, anri after the aforesaid settlement and estimate any one may withdraw his nx)ney or, in proportion thereof, in whole or in part, continue and share in the succeeding Company; and the succeeding Company shall in such case take the remainder, which shall be found according to the ac- counting and estimate, and pay the participants who do not think tit to continue in the Company their share at such times at the Nine- teen, with our knowledge and approbation, shall think proptr. XVIII. That so often as it shall be necessary to have a j^^encral Assembly of the aforesaid Chambers, it shall be by Nineteen persons, of whom eight shall come from the Chamber of Amsterdam, four from Zealand, two from the Mace, two from the Noordcrquarticr, t\sro from Friesland and Stadt endc Landcn; provided, that the nineteenth person, or so many more as wc shall at any time think fit, shall be deputed by us for the puqwse of helping to direct the affairs of the Company in the aforesaid Assembly. XIX. By which general Assembly of the aforesaid Chambers, all matters relating to this Company shall be considered and deciacd ; provided, that in matters of war, our approbation of their resolution shall be asked. XX. The aforesaid general Assembly being summoned, it slull meet, whenever they are about to fit out, to resolve how many ships they shall send to each place for the account of the Company in general, and no individual Chamber shall be permitted to undertake anything not included in the aforesaid common resolution but [all( shall be bound to carry it into effect and to execute it. And if any Chamber should fail to comply with the common resolution, or be found to act in violation thereof, we have authorized, and by these presents do authorize, the said Assembly immediately to cause rep- aration to be made for such failure or violation, wherein, on re- quest, we will assist them. XXI. The said general Assembly shall be held the first six years in the city of Amsterdam, and the following two years in Zealand ; and so on alternately in the aforesaid two places. I02 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY XXII. De Bewinthebberen die van wegen de Compagnie ghecom- mitteert zijnde, van Huys sullen reysen, 't zy op de voorseyde Vergaderinge ofte eiders, sullen voor haer teer-kosten ende dach- gelden hebben vier gulden 's daeghs, boven de Schuyt ende Wagen- vrachten: Welverstaendc dat die geene die vande eene Stadt nae de andere reysen, om die Kameren als Bewinthebberen ende Regierders te frequenteren, egeen dach-gelden ofte reys-kosten en sullen ontfangen, tot laste vande Compagnie. XXIII. Ende of 't gebeurde dat inde voorseyde Generale Ver- gaderinge eenige wichtige saecken voorvielen, daer inne sy niet wel en konden verdragen, ofte dat sy selfs hun souden mogen beswaert vindcn, om elckanderen te overstemmen, dat *t selve gelaten sal worden tot onse decisie : Ende 't geene dien aengaende goet gevon- den sal worden, sal achtervolght ende na gekomen worden. XXIV. Ende sullen alle Ingesctenen deser Landen, ende oock van andere Landen, by openbare affixien van billetten, binnen den tijdt van een Maent naer date van desen t* affigeren, gewaerschouwt worden, dat sy binnen den tijdt van vijf Maenden, innegaende den eersten Julij deses Jaers sesthien-hondcrt een-en-tvvintich in dese Compagnie sullen worden gcadmittcert, ende dat sy hunne Penningen, die sy sullen willen in leggen, sullen mogen op brengen in drie termijnen: Te weten een derde-part ter expiratie vande voorsclireve vijf Maenden, cndc d* andcr twee derde-parten op drie achter een volgende Jarcn, ten ware de voorschreve Generale Vergaderinge bevonden, dat men dese Termijnen sonde mogen verlengen, daer van de Participanten te vooren by affixie van billetten sullen werden gheadvcrteert. XXV. De Scliepcn vande rcysc wedcr komcndc sullen wederoni aenkomen ter plaetsen daer sy afgcseylt zijn, ende of door fortune van Weder ende Wint, de Schepen van 't eene Quartier uytghe- scyldt, aenquamcn in het ander, als die van Amsterdam ofte van 't Noorder-quartier in Zeelant ofte indc Maze, ofte die van Zeelandt in Hollandt: ofte die van Vrieslandt, mitsgaders Stadt ende Lan- den in een ander Quartier : dat niet te min elckc Kamer de admim- stratie ende bewint van hare uytghcsondcn Schepen ende Koopman- schappen sal behoudcn, ende dat sy de selve sullen mogen verseynden ende vervoeren nae de Quartieren daer de Schepen waren uytge- seylt, 't zy met de selve ofte andere Schepen, mits dat de Bewint- hebbers der selver Kamer, gchouden sullen zijn haer selfs in Per- soon te laten vinden ter Plaetse daer de Schepen ofte goederen aenghekomen zijn, ende geene Facteurs daer over sullen vermogen te stellen: Maer in ghevalle haer selfs niet ghelegen en ware te VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS IO3 XXII. The directors who by commission of the Company shall go from home to attend the aforesaid Assembly or otherwise, shall have for their expenses and daily allowance four guilders a day, be- sides boat and stage fare; it being understood that those who go from one city to another to attend the meetings of the Chambers as directors and managers shall receive no allowance or traveling ex- penses at the charge of the Company. • XXIII. And if it should happen that in the aforesaid general As- sembly any weighty matter came before them, wherein they could not agree, or even in which one side should scruple to impose its decision on the other, the same shall be left to our decision; and whatever shall be determined upon shall be followed and carried into execution. XXIV. And all the inhabitants of this country, and also of other countries, shall be notified by public posting of notices within the month after the date hereof that they may be admitted into this Com- pany during five months from the first of July, this year, sixteen hun- dred and twenty-one, and that they may pay the money they wish to invest in three payments; to wit, one third at the expiration of the aforesaid five months and the other two thirds within the three next succeeding years, unless the aforesaid general Assembly shall find it necessary to extend the time, whereof the participants shall be notified by posting of notices. XXV. The ships returning from a voyage shall come to the place they sailed from; and if, by stress of wind and weather, the vessels which sailed out from one district shall arrive in another — as those from Amsterdam or the Noordcr-quartier in Zealand or the Maze; or from Zealand in Holland; or those from Frieslanci, with Stadt ende Landen, in another district — each Chamber shall nevertheless retain the direction and management of the ships and goods it sent out and be allowed to send and transport the goods to the places whence the vessels sailed, either in the same or other vessels ; pro- vided that the directors of that Chamber shall be required to be present in person at the place where the vessels and goods shall have arrived and not to appoint factors to superintend the business ; but in case it shall not be convenient for them to travel, they shall com- I04 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY reysen, dat sy als dan de Bewint-hebberen vande Kamer daer de Schepen gearriveert zijn, totte administratie sullen committeren. XXVI. Als d'een oft d'ander Kamer eenige Koopmanschappen ofte retouren uyt die Quartieren binnen de voorschreve Limiten begrepen, ghekregen heeft, daer van dat d'ander niet en is versien, sal gehouden wesen die Kamer die ongeprovideert is, op haer versoeck naer ghelegentheyt vande saecke te provideren ende 't goet te senden, ende als sy uytverkocht sullen hebben, noch meer te seynden. Dat van gelijcken de Bewinthebberen vande respective Kameren, eenige Persoonen tot de equipagien, ofte andersints uyt andere Steden daer Kameren ofte Bewint-hebbers zijn, van noode hebbende, daer toe de Bewinthebberen van dese Compagnie sullen moeten versoecken ende employeren, sonder eenige Factoren daer toe te gebruycken. XXVII. Ende indien eenige Provincien goet vinden eenen Agent te stellen, om die Penningen uyt hacre Ingesetenen te ver- samelen, ende in masse in eenighe Kamer in te leggen, ende vande uytdeelinge betalinge te voorderen, sal de Kamer ghehouden zijn alsulcken Agent toe te laten acces inde selve Kamer, om aldaer geinformeert te werden vandcn Staet vanden uytgeve ende in- komen, uyt ende inschulden : Bchouden dat de Penningen by sulcken Agent ingebracht, sullen bedragen vijftich duysent gul- dens, ende daer boven. XXVIII. De Bewinthebbers sullen vande uyt-reyse ende vande retouren, mitsgaders vande prinsen voor provisie genieten een ten hondert, ende van Gout ende Silver maer ccn half ten hondert. Wclcke provisie sal verdeelt worden voor de Kamer van Amster- dam vier negende deelen: De Kamer van Zeelant twee negende deelen : vande Maze een negende deel : van *t Noorder-quartier een negende deel: ende van Vrieslant, mitsgaders Stadt ende Landen gelijcke negende deel. XXIX. Welverstaende dat sy-luyden van hct Geschut, ende de waerde vande Schepen niet mcer als eens provisie sullen ghenieten. Sullen voorts geenige provisie ghenieten van Schepen, Geschut ende anders, waer mede wy dcse Compagnie sullen verstercken: nochte oock vande Penningen die sy voor dese Compagnie sullen lichten. nochte van dat sy de Waren beneficieren. Gelijck sy tot laste vande Compagnie niet en sullen mogen brengcn eenige Vacatie, Reys ofte Teer-kosten vande geenige die sy sullen mogen commit- teren, om de uytreedinge te vorderen, ende de Waren daer toe noodich te koopen. VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS IO5 mit this business to the Qiamber in whose district the vessels ar- rived. XXVI. If any Chamber shall have obtained any goods or returns from the places included within the limits of this charter with which another is not provided, it shall be required to send such goods on request to the Chamber which is unprovided, according to the situa- tion of the case; and when they have sold out to send more. And in like manner, if the managers of the respective Chambers have need of any persons for crews or other purposes, from the cities where there are Chambers or directors, they shall request and em- ploy [the aid of] the directors of this Company therefor and not make use of any factors. XXVII. And if any of the provinces think fit to appoint an agent to collect the money from their inhabitants, deposit the amount in bulk in any Chamber, and receive the payment of dividends, the Chamber shall be required to give such agent access, that he may obtain information of the state of the disbursements and receipts, and of the debts and assets ; provided that the money brought in by such agent shall amount to fifty thousand guilders or upwards. XXVIII. The directors shall have for commissions one per cent on the outfits and returns, and also on the prizes, and a half per cent on gold and silver ; which commissions shall be divided — to the Cham- ber of Amsterdam, four ninths; the Qiamber of Zealand, two ninths ; the Mace, one ninth ; the Noordcr-qnarticr, one ninth ; and Friesland with Stadt ende Landen, a like ninth. XXIX. Provided that they shall not receive commissions on the ordnance and value of the ships more than once. They shall, more- over, have no commission on the ships, ordnance and other things with which we shall strengthen the Company, nor on the money which they shall collect for the Company, nor on the profits they re- ceive from the goods ; nor shall they charge the Company with any salaries, expenses of traveling or board of those to whom they shall commit the fittmg out and purchasing of goods necessary therefor. I06 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY XXX. De Boeck-houders ende Cassiers sullen gesalariseert werden tot laste vande Bewint-hebbers, uyt hare provisie. XXXI. De Bewint-hebberen sullen geene Schepen, Waren ofte Goederen haer in 't gheheel ofte deel toekoniende, aen dese Com- pagnie mogen leveren ofte verkoopen: nochte vande selve Com- pagnie eenige Koopmanschappen ofte Waren koopen ofte doen koopen, directelijck ofte indirectelijck, noch portie ofte ghedeelte daer inne hebben, op de verbeurte van een Jaer barer provisie, die contrarie desen bevonden wert gedaen te hebben, ten profijte van- den Armen, ende van haer Bewinthebberschap verlaten te worden. XXXII. De Bewint-hebberen sullen ghehouden wesen by affixie van Billietten, te notificeren, soo dickwils sy eenige Waren ende Koopmanschappen van nieuws sullen hebben ontfangen, ten eynde een yder daer van tijdelick kennisse mach hebben. al eer tot eyn- delijcke verkoopinge sal worden gheprocedeert. XXXIII. Ende of 't ghebeurde dat onder d*cen of dander Kanier yemandt vande Bewinthebbers in sulcken Staet gheraeckten, dat hy niet en konde voldoen 't geene hem sijner administratie aengaende, vertrouwt ware, ende daer door eenige schade mochte ko- men, sal wesen tot laste vande Penningen die alsulcke Bewinthebberen hebben in Compagnie, de wclcke oock voor haer administratie specialijcken zijn verbonden, 't welck oock plaetse sal hebben ten respecte van alle de Participanten, die uyt saecke van koop van goederen, ofte andersints Debiteurs vande Compagnie sou den mogen wesen, ende sal gereeckent worden in alien schijne, of haer ingeleyde Penningen tegens 't geen sy de Compagnie schuldich zijn, van aenbeginne waer ghecompenseert, ende by recontre gedoodet. XXXIV. De Bewinthebbers vande respective Kamers, sullen re- sponderen voor hare Cassiers ende Boeckhoudcrs. XXXV. Dat alle de Waren van dese Compagnie, die by den gewichte verhandclt sullen worden, vcrkocht sullen worden op eenderley ghewichte, te weten, op de swaerte van 't ghewichte van Amsterdam, ende dat men alsulcke Waren sal mogen overslaen binnen Scheeps-boort ofte inde Pack-huysen, sonder daer van eenigen Accijs, Impost ofte Waegh-gelt te betalen, mits dat de selve verkocht zijnde, niet anders sullen mogen worden ghelevert dan ter Wage, ende midts betalcnde den Impost ende Waegh-gelt, soo dickwils als sy worden ghealieneert ghelijck andere goederen, die Wage subject zijnde. XXXVI. Dat men de Persoonen ofte Goederen der Bewintheb- bers niet en sal mogen arresteren, besetten ofte becommeren, om VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS IO7 XXX. The bookkeepers and cashiers shall have a salary paid them by the directors out of their conmiissions. XXXI. The directors shall not deliver or sell to the Company any ships, merchandise, or goods belonging to themselves in whole or in part, nor buy or cause to be bought of the said Company, directly or indirectly, any goods or merchandise, nor have any por- tion or part therein, on forfeiture by those who shall be found to have acted to the contrary of one year's commissions for the use of the poor and on pain of being deposed from their directorship. XXXII. The directors shall be obliged to give notice, by posting of bills, as often as they" have a fresh importation of goo<ls and merchandise, to the end that every one may have seasonable knowl- edge of it before they proceed to a final sale. XXXIII. And if it should happen tliat in one Chamber or another any of the directors should get into such a situation that he could not make good what was intnisted to him for his administration and in consequence thereof any loss should occur, said loss shall be charged against the money which such directors have in the Com- pany, which [investment] is also especially pledged for their adminis- tration; the same shall also be the case as to all the participants who, on account of goods purchased or otherwise, shall become debtors to the Company, and to all intents it shall be reckoned as if the money which they put in had from the beginning been counter- balanced and wiped out by what they owe the Company. XXXIV. The directors of the respective Chambers shall be re- six)nsible for their cashiers and bookkeepers. XXXV. That all the goods of this Company which shall be dis- posed of by weight shall be sold by one standard of weight, to wit, that of the weight of Amsterdam ; and that all such goods may be sold on board ship, or in store, without paying any excise, impost or weigh money; provided that, once being sold, they shall not be delivered in any other way than at the Weigh-house and that the impost and weigh money shall be paid as often as they are alienated in the same manner as other goods subject to weigh money. XXXVI. That the persons or goods of the directors shall not be arrested, attached or encumbered in order to obtain from them an I08 • NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY van hen te hebben Reeckeninge van administratie vande Compagnie, noch ocx:k om de betalinge vande gagicn, oftc loon vande geene die sy in dienste vande Compagnie ghebruyckt hebben: Maer de geene die sulcks yet op henUiydcn sal willen prctenderen, sullen ghehouden zijn de selve te bctreckcn voor heur ordinaris Rechters. XXXVII. Soo wanneer eenige Schgpen vande reyse sullen weder keeren, sullen de Generaels oft Commandeurs over de Vloolen, Schip ofte Schepen ghehouden zijn binnen thien dagen naer haere aenkomste, aen ons te komen docn rapport van 't succes van hare reyse, ende daer van schriftelijck rapport over geven ende leveren, indien de sake sulcx vereyscht. XXXVIII. Ende of 't ghebeurde (dat Wy geensints en ver- wachten) dat yemant de Schccp-vaert, Negotie, Handelinge oftc Traffijcque van dcse Compagnie, contraric het algemeene Recht, ofte oock jegens 't inhouden vande voorschreve Tractaten, Ver- bonden ende Entrc-courssen in eeniger manieren wilde beschadigen ofte hinderlijck wesen, sullen hun daer tegens mogen defenderen, ende regulcren in conformiteyt vande instructie by ons daer van te geven. XXXIX. Hebben voorls belooft ende belooven mits desen, dat vvy desc Compagnie tegens eenen yegelick sullen mainteneren ende defenderen indc vrye Zee-vaert ende Trafficque, ende ten dien fine de selve te hulpe komen met een somme van thien hondert duysent guldens, te betalcn in.vijf Jaren, daer van de eerste twee hondert duysent guldens sullen worden gefurneert, soo haest den eersten termijn by de Participanten sal wesen op ghebracht: Wel- verslaende dat wy niette helft vande voorschreve thien hondert duysent guldens, sullen ghenictcn ende dragen winste ende risico, gclijck alle andere Participanten in dcse Compagnie genieten ende dragen sullen. XL. Ende in gcvallc door een machtich ende geduerich belet indc voorschreve Zee-vaert ende Trafficque, de saecken in de Li- miten van dcse Compagnie wierdcn gebracht tot een openbaer Oor- loch, Soo sullen wy de selve Compagnie, so veel 's Lants gelegentheyt sulcx ecnichsints sonde toe laten, tot hare assistentie gheven sesthien Schepen van Oorloge, hct minste groot hondert vijftich Lasten, met vicr goede wclbcseylde Jachten, het minste groot veertich Lasten, zijiulc behoorlijck ghemontecrt ende voorsien van alles: oock van Mctalen ende ander Geschut, ende behoorlijcke quanliteyt van Ammunitic, midtsgaders van dubbelt loopende ende VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS lOQ account of the administration of the Company nor for the payment of the salaries or wages of those whom they have employed in the service of the Company; but those who wish to make any such de- mands upon them must bring the matter before the ordinary judges. XXXVII. Whenever any ship shall return from a voyage, the admirals or commanders of the fleets, ship or ships shall be obliged to come and report to us the success of the voyage within ten days after their arrival and shall make out and deliver a report in writing, if the case requires it. XXXVI II. And if it should happen (which we by no means ex- pect) that any one ventured to injure or hinder in any way the navi- gation, commerce, trade or traffic of this Company, contrary to the common law or to the contents of the aforesaid treaties, leagues and covenants, they shall have the right to protect themselves against such actions and shall govern themselves according to the instruc- tions to be issued by us concerning them. XXXIX. We have, moreover, promised, and do promise, that we will maintain and defend this Company against every person in [their rights of] free navigation and trade, and to that end will as- sist them with a sum of ten hundred thousand guilders, to be paid in five years, whereof the first two hundred thousand guilders shall be paid th^-m when the first payment shall be made by the partici- pants; provided, that we, with half the aforesaid ten hundred thou- sand guilders, shall receive and bear profit and risk in the same man- ner as the other participants of this Company. XL. And if by a powerful and continued obstruction of the afore- said navigation and trade, the affairs within the limits of this Com- pany should be brought to a state of open war, we will, if the situa- tion of this country will in any wise admit of it, give them for their assistance sixteen ships of war, the smallest one of one hundred and fifty lasts burden, with four good, well-sailing yachts, the smallest of forty lasts burden, which shall be properly mounted and provided in all respects, both with brass*^^ and other cannon, and a proper quantity of ammunition, together with double suits of running and ^ Mttalen; literally, metal, as distinguished from iron cannon. See Dc Jonge, Ct*ekUd€fds van het Nedgrtandsche Zeewesen, ed. a, p. 381; de Laet, HistorU oft9 J4B€rHJck Vtrhoil, apx. p. s^-g. no NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY staende Want, Zeylagie, Touvven, Anckers ende andere toe-behoor- ten, sulcks die op alsiilcke groote Expeditie behooren versien ende gebruyckt te worden: Behoudens dat die voorts sullen worden ghemant, ghevictuaillecrt ende onderhouden tot koste vande Com- pagnie: Ende dat de Compagnie ghehouden sal zijn daer by te voegen ghelijcke sesthien Schepen van Oorloge, met vier Jachten, mede gemonteert ende voorsien als vooren, om gelijckelijck tot defensie vande Trafficqne, ende alle Exploicten van Oorloge gebruyckt te werden : Midts dat alle de Schepen van Oorloge, ende de Koopvaerdye-Schepen (die mede sulcks sullen worden toe- gerust ende gemant als 't bchoort) sullen staen onder een Admirael, by ons daer over te stellen, naer voorgaende advijs vande voorsz Generale Vergaderinge : Ende sullen volgen onse Commandemen- ten, midtsgaders de Resolutien vande Compagnie, om des noot zijnde, gelijckelijck ten Oorloge gebruyckt te werden : sulcx noch- tans dat de Koopvaerders buyten noot hare ladinge niet en sullen hasarderen. XLI. Ende in gevalle sonde mogen ghebeuren, dat de Landen in hare Lasten merckelijck souden mogen worden verlicht, ende dat dese Compagnie in sware lasten van Oorloge sonde komen te vervallen : Soo hebben wy belooft ende belooven midts desen, de voorschreve subsidie sulcks te vermcerderen als den Staet vande Landen sal mogen lijden, ende die saecken vande Compagnie sul- len komen te vcreysschen. XLII. Hebben voorts geordonneert, Dat in gevalle van Oorloge, alle Prinsen die op die Vyanden, ofte oock op die Zee-roovers binnen de voorschreve Liniiten, by de Compagnie, of by den geenen die den selven t'hare assistentic sullen worden by-gevoecht, sonde mogen werden verovcrt: Oock de goederen, die uyt krachte van onse Placaten sullen worden aengehaclt, na aftreckinge van alle nootelicke kosten, als oock vande schade die de Compagnie in 't veroveren van elcke Prinsc sonde mogen hebben gheleden: mits- gaders de gherechtigheyt van Sijn Excellentie als Admirael, in conformite van onse Resolutie, dicnt halven op den eersten April Sesthicn-hondert cndc twee ghenomen : ende het thiende-part vande OflRciers, P)OOts-volck ende Soldatcn, die de Prinsen gedaen sullen hebben, sullen blijven tor dispositie vande Bewinthebbers vande voorschreve Compagnie: Mits dat daer van gchouden sal worden Reeckeninge apart, ende verscheyden vande Reeckeninge vande Negotien ende Commercien: Ende dat het provenu vande selve Prinsen sal worden geemployeert totte equipagie vande Schepen, ende betalinge van h^t Volck van Oorloge, Fprtific^ti^n, Bescttin* VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS III Standing rigging, sails, cables, anchors and other things thereto be- longing, such as are proper to be provided and used in all great ex- peditions; upon condition that they shall be manned, victualed and supported at the expense of the Company and that the Company shall be obliged to add thereto sixteen* like ships of war and four yachts, mounted and provided as above, to be used in like man- ner for the defense of trade and all exploits of war ; provided that all the ships of war and merchantmen (which likewise shall be pro- vided and manned as is fitting) shall be under an admiral appointed by us after previous advice of the aforesaid general Assembly and shall obey our commands, together with the resolutions of the Com- pany, and if need be, shall be used together for purposes of war, in such manner, however, that the merchantmen shall not unneces- sarily hazard their lading. XLI. And if it should happen that the country should be greatly eased of its burdens and that this Company should be put to the heavy charges of war, we have further promised, and do promise, to increase the aforesaid subsidy in such manner as the situation of this country will permit and the affairs of the Company shall re- quire. XLII. We have moreover ordained that in case of war all the prizes which may be taken from enemies and pirates within the aforesaid limits by the Company or those who have been sent to its assistance; also the goods which shall be seized by virtue of our proclamations — after deducting all necessary expenses and the damage which the Company may have suffered in taking each prize, together with the dues of His Excellency as admiral in chief agree- able to our resolution to that effect adopted on the first of April, sixteen hundred and two, and the tenth part for the officers, sailors and soldiers who have taken the prize — shall remain at the disposal of the directors of the aforesaid Company ; provided that the account of them shall be kept separate and distinct from the account of trade and commerce, that the net proceeds of the said prizes shall be em- ployed in fitting out ships, paying the troops, fortifications, garri- 112 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY gen ende diergelijcke saecken van Oorloge ende defensie te Water ende te Lande dependerende, sender dat men daer van sal doen eenige distributie, ten ware dat het selfde provenu soo groot werde bevonden, dat men sender swackinge vande selve defensie, ende nae dat d'onkosten vande Oorloge sonde zijn betaelt, eenige merckelijcke parthye sonde mogen uyt deelen, de welcke geschieden sal apart ende ghescheyden vande distributien vande Commercien. Ende sal de verdeylinge gedaen worden, een thiende-deel voor de gemeene saecke vande Vereenichde Nederlanden, ende de reste onder de Participanten van dese Compagnie, elcke ponts gelijcke, naer rate van sijn ingeleyt Capitael. XLIII. Behoudelick nochtans, dat alle de Prinsen ende goederen, uyt krachte vande Placaten aengeliaelt, in-ghebracht ende te Rechte gestelt sullen moeten worden, ter judicature vande Rade ter Ad- miraliteyt vande Ouartieren daer die in ghebracht sullen zijn, om by de selve kennisse genomen, ende ghesententieert te worden op de deuchdelijckheyt ofte ondeuchdelijckheyt vande selve Prinsen: Blijvende niet te min hangende den Processe d'admistratie vande inghebrachte Goederen by de Compagnie, ende dat onder behoor- lijcken Inventaris, ende behoudens de Revisie vande geenen die by Sententie vande Admiraliteyt ghegravccrt sonde mogen zijn, in conformiteyt vande Instructie aen die vande Admiraliteyt gegeven : Welverstaende, dat de Vendu-Meesters ende andere Officiers vande Admiraliteyten, geen Recht sullen genieten ofte mogen pretenderen vande Prinsen die by dese Compagnie sullen worden ghebeneficieert, ende daer in sy niet en zijn geemployeert. XLIV. De Bewinthebbcrs van dese Compagnie sullen solem- nelijck belooven ende sweeren. dat sy bun in hare administratie wel ende ghetrouwclijck sullen dragcn, goede ende deuchdelijcke Reeckeninghe doen van hare handelinge: Dat sy in alles sullen bevoorderen 't mecste ])rofijt vande Compagnie, ende der selver schadc beschutten, soo veel mogclijck sal zijn : Dat sy den meesten vande Participanten. in 't opbrengcn ende uytdeylinge vande Pen- ningen, niet mcer voordeel en sullen doen als den minSten : Dat sy in 't innen ende ontfangcn vande uytstacivle schulden, den eenen niet meer als den anderen sullen verschoonen : Dat sy voor haer eygen Reeckeninge j)articipcren, ende gheduyrende haer Bewint- hebberschap sullen blijven participercn, ahulcke somme van Pen- ningen als by dcsen Octroye zijn geordonncert : Midtsgaders dat sy alle ende een yeder vande poincten ende Articulen in desen vermelt, voor soo veel haer aengaet, sullen nae komen ende onder- VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS II3 sons and like matters of war and defense, by sea and land, and that there shall be no distribution unless the said proceeds shall amount to so much tliat a notable share may be distributed without weaken- ing the said defense and after paying the expenses of the war, which distribution shall be made separately and apart from that on account of trade; and the distribution shall be maJe, one tenth part for the use of the United Netherlands and the remainder for the partici- pants of this Company, in exact proportion to their invested capital. XLIII. Provided, however, that all the prizes and goods taken by virtue of our proclamations shall be brought and tried before the council of the admiralty of the district to which they are brougiit, that it may take cognizance of them and determine the legality or illegality of the said prizes, the administration of the goods brought in remaining, nevertheless, with the Company, pending the process, and that under a proper inventory, and saving to those who might be injured by the sentence of the admiralty the right of appeal, agree- able to the instructions given the admiralty ; provided that the ven- due masters and other officers of the admiralty shall neither receive nor claim any fees from prizes which shall be sold for the benefit of this Company and in [connection with] which they are not cm- ployed. XLIV. The directors of this Company shall solemnly i)romisc and swear that they will act well and faithfully in their adminis- tration and render good and just accounts of their transactions ; that they will in all things consult the greatest profit of the Comi)any and, as much as possible, prevent its meeting with losses ; that they will not give the greatest participant any greater advantage in the payments or distribution of money than the least ; that, in collecting and receiving outstanding debts, they will not excuse one more than another; that they, for their own account, will invest, and during the continuance of their administration will continue the invest- ment of all such sums of money as by this charter are stipulated ; and moreover, that they will, as far as concerns them, to the utmost 8 114 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY houden, doen nae komen ende onderhouden naer haer uyterste vermogen. XLV. AUe welcke Privilegien, Vryheden ende Exemptien, mits- gaders de assistentie hier vooren verhaelt, in alle hare voorsz Poincten ende Articulen, wy de voorsz Compagnie met goede ken- nisse van saecken hebben ghegunt, verleent, belooft ende toegeseyt : Gunnen, verleenen ende toeseggen hen mits desen : Beloovende hen- luyden de selve te doen, ende laten genieten rustelijck ende vredelijck. Ordonneren oock dat de selve sullen worden onder- houden ende achtervolcht by alle Overicheden, Officieren ende Ondersaten van dese Vereenichcle Nederlanden, sonder daer jegens te doen directelick of indirectelick, soo weynich binnen, als buyten de selve Vereenichde Nederlanden, op peyne van daer over als Beletters van 't ghemeen welvaren der selver Landen, ende Overtreders van onse Ordonnantie gestraft te worden aen Lijf ende Goet. Be- loovende daer en boven, dat wy de Compagnie, in 't innehouden van desen onsen Octroye, sullen mainteneren ende staende houden, by alle Tractaten van Payse, Alliancien ende Enter-coursen met de nae-gebuyre Princen, Rijcken ende Landen, sonder yet ghedaen ofte gehandelt te worden dat tot verminderinge van desen soude mogen strecken. Ontbieden daerom ende bevelen wel expresselijck alle Gouvemeurs, Justicieren, Officieren, Magistraten ende Inwoonders der voorschreve Vereenichde Nederlanden, dat sy de voorschreve Compagnie ende Bewinthebbers van dien, rustelijck ende vredelijck laten ghebruycken het volkomen effect van desen Octroye, Consent ende Privilegie: Cesserende alle contradictien ende empeschementen ter contrarien. Ende op dat niemant hier van ignorantie en pre- tcndere, Soo hebben wy belast, dat het sommier inhouden van desen Octroye by publicatie ofte affixie van Biljetten sal worden genoti- ficeert, daer, ende soo het behooren sal : Want wy 't selve ten dienste vanden Lande bevonden hebben te behooren. Gegeven onder onsen grooten Zegel, Paraphure ende de Signature van onsen Griffier, in 's Graven-Hage, op den derden dach der Maent van Junio, in 't Jacr sesthien-hondert een-ende-twintich. Was ghepara- pheert, /. Magnus,^^- Onderstondt, Ter Ordonnantie vande Hooch- ghemclte Heercn Staten Generacl. Onderteeckent, C. Aerssen, Hebbende cen uythangendc Zegel van rooden Wasschc aen een koorde van witte zijde. VAN RENSSELAER BOWIER MANUSCRIPTS II5 of their power, observe and keep all and every the particulars and articles herein contained. XLV. All of which privileges, freedoms and exemptions, together with the assistance above mentioned, in all their points and articles, we have granted, allowed, promised and pledged to the aforesaid Company, and do hereby grant, allow and pledge with full knowl- edge of the matter, promising to allow them to enjoy the same quietly and peaceably. We likewise order that the same shall be kept and observed by all magistrates, officers arid subjects of these United Netherlands and that they shall not do anything contrary to the same directly or indirectly, either within or without the said United Netherlands, upon pain of being punished therefor both in person and property as disturbers of the common welfare of this country and transgressors of our ordinance. We further promise that we will maintain and uphold the Company in the contents of this our charter, by all treaties of peace, alliances and covenants with the neighboring princes, kingdoms and countries, without suffering 3inything to be done or transacted that might tend to diminish its value. Wherefore we expressly charge and command all governors, justiciaries, officers, magistrates and inhabitants of these United Netherlands to permit and suffer the Company and its directors to enjoy quietly and peaceably all the benefits of this charter, license and privilege, ceasing all opposition and obstruction to it. And in •>rder that none may pretend ignorance of this, we have ordered a summary of the contents of this charter to be publicly proclaimed and placarded wherever necessary, for we have found this to be for the best interests of the country. Given under our great seal, paraph and the signature of our secretary, at the Hague, on the third day of the month of June, in the year sixteen hundred and twenty- one. Was paraphed, /. Magnus,"^ Underneath was written: By order of the aforesaid Honorable Lords the States General. Sub- scribed, C. Aerssen. Having a seal pendent of red wax, on a cord of white silk. Il6 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY Amplification of the charter of the West India Company^ June JO, 1622 Origittal text Ampliatie van 't Octroy: Waer inne de Zout-vaert op Puncto del Rey buyten de Compagnie verboden wert: Mede den tijdt van inleggen geprolongeert, &c. In date den 10 lunij 1622. De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen den gee- nen die dese jegenwoordige sullen sien ofte hooren lesen, Saluyt. DOEN TE WETEN, Alsoo liier bevoorens seecker Ampliatie van 't Octroy aen dc West-Indische Compagnie verleent, tot meer- der voortsettinge ende bevorderinge vande selve, by ons uyt gegeven ende in forme van Placaet over al is gepubliceert, luydende van woorde tot woorde als volcht: De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen den geenen die desen sullen sien ofte hooren lesen, Saluyt. Alsoo wy naer rijpe deliberatic van Raede, tot welstant deser Provintien, ende welvaren vande goede Ingesetenen van dien, hebben doen bcsluyten een Compagnie van Negotie ende Trafficque, alhier in dese Nerlcrlanden, op de West-Indien, Africa, ende andere Plaetsen in onsen voorgaenden Placate vanden negenden Junij inden Jare sesthien-hondert een en twintich gcdesigneert, met verbodt, dat geene Ingeboornen ofte Ingesetenen deser Landen, binnen den tijt van vier-en-twinticli Jaren, naer den eersten Julij doen eerst- komende, en souden vermogen tc varcn ofte Negotieren binnen de selve Limiten, uytghesondcrt allecn die by clen Octroye aende voorsz Compagnie verleent zijn, toe-gclaten om Sout te mogen varcn op Punto del Rcy, op hot Rcglement by ons daer op glicmaeckt, ofte noch te maeckcn : Ende dat Wy de saecke naerder over gliemerckt, voor der T.andcn dicnst, ende tot vorderinge vande voorsz geoctroyccrdc Compagnie, diensticli ende noodich ghevonder. 